Further to the alleged leaking of SIPT documents, Huw Shepheard, Attorney General, commented:
“The statements recently disclosed to the media are clearly part of the SIPT’s ongoing criminal investigation, with a view to their being used as evidence in legal proceedings.
“As such, these papers are covered by legal professional privilege and, in addition, by the law of contempt of court. The disclosure of this material to persons not involved in the litigation for which they were prepared is a contempt of court punishable with imprisonment.
“If the disclosure or any publication was made with the intention of frightening or intimidating the witness whose statement is disclosed or published, the offence of attempting to pervert the course of justice may also have been committed. This is also punishable with imprisonment.
“I have asked the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police to investigate this leak, and, if sufficient admissible and credible evidence is obtained to identify the persons who have disseminated these documents, I will bring proceedings against them with a view to their being imprisoned.”
