PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling says legal services provided by Tackling Law to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) were performed before she became Minister of Justice and that the contract was terminated when she accepted the ministerial post to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.
Tackling provided the information to The Daily Herald in an invited comment on the statements by NAPB Sint Maarten police union President Marcus Pantophlet, who called for greater transparency over a reported contractual relationship between UNOPS and a law firm bearing the minister's name.
According to the Minister, Tackling Law, won a public tender through the United Nations to provide local legal counsel services during Phase 1 of the UNOPS project. "Tackling Law won a public tender via the UN to provide local legal counsel services during phase 1 of the UNOPS project under the tenures of Ministers [Anna –Ed.] Richardson and [Lyndon] Lewis under the contracts existing between UNOPS and the government at the time," she said.
She explained that the firm provided advisory services on matters related to local law, compliance and other soft component advisory work. "Tackling Law performed advisory work in that context on a number of topics related to local law and compliance and other topics related to the soft components advisory at the time. I've also commented this numerous times in public speeches as well. I note that all work was carried out prior to my becoming Minister."
Tackling said the contractual relationship between UNOPS and her former law firm ended once she decided to accept the position of Minister of Justice. "This contract with Tackling Law further terminated with UNOPS upon my decision to become Minister of Justice to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest."
She added that both the government's engagement with UNOPS and her firm's work for the agency took place before she entered office. "So, in short, the government's relationship and engagement of UNOPS occurred before me and the work performed by my previous law firm for UNOPS pre-dated my ministership."
The NAPB President in a press release over the weekend called on the government to explain what safeguards were put in place if the same international agency that reportedly contracted the minister's former law firm is also providing technical advice to the Ministry of Justice.
He said the issue was not about alleging wrongdoing but about maintaining public confidence in the justice system and ensuring transparency.
Pantophlet also said the public, law enforcement officers and civil servants deserve answers regarding whether relationships were disclosed, whether recusal procedures were considered where necessary and whether independent safeguards were implemented. He added that transparency remains essential to good governance.
