And apart from all the litigation his office has to be dealing with, the Attorney General also has to be doing a sensitive investigation into the conduct of Minister Andres Perez who is on a leave of absence from Cabinet. One month ago, allegation emerged that Perez had been caught up in a sexting exchange with a constituent - where she alleged sexual harassment and he alleged extortion.
A press release at the time said, quote, "during his leave of absence, an investigation will be conducted into the recent allegations against Minister Perez. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs will advise the Prime Minister on whether there has been any actionable wrongdoing."
That was 31 days ago. So, anything yet? The AG's answer? Not ready yet!:
Reporter
"Sir, can you provide an update in relation to the investigation into Andre Perez and sexual harassment allegations?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
"Unfortunately, I will not be able to provide an update, suffice to say that it is ongoing. But, we do appreciate that it has to be done in a timely manner. So, that is taken into account and it will be done within a timely manner."
Jules Vasquez
"A month has elapsed."
Anthony Sylvestre
"A reasonably timely manner."
Jules Vasquez
"What do you consider timely?"
Anthony Sylvestre
"I would regard as timely, perhaps a two months time frame."
Reporter
"Have you all spoken with Ms Auxillou, with Mr. Perez?"
Anthony Sylvestre
"I can't get into what has or have not been done. I should have prefaced that by saying this, whilst there is a talk about an investigation, only police really engage in investigation, it is more like a review, a legal review of the matter and the circumstances."
Jules Vasquez
"Or you legally reviewing text messages, or sex messages?"
Anthony Sylvestre
"I cannot at this point go into what is being reviewed, but sufficed to say at this point there is a review of the, and of course it will be appreciated that within this context a review would have to be conducted within what should be regarded as appropriate code of conduct. We don't have that..."
Jules Vasquez
"It is stated in the constitution, a code of conduct for Cabinet, that you should not bring your office into disrepute."
Anthony Sylvestre
"The constitution speaks to certain conduct and it also applies to public officer, but the review is ongoing and I can say within two months there should be a report that is provided to the prime minister."
We'll see where things rest in another month. In the meantime, for the first month at least, Perez continued to receive his full monthly ministerial salary, even though he has no portfolio at this time. The Cabinet Secretary said that was an oversight and it will be corrected going forward.
