Paria Commission of Enquiry Chairman King’s Counsel Jerome Lynch has defended the extension of time to submit his final report.

The Commission requested and was granted the extension, with the report to now be completed for November 30th 2023.

At a media conference this morning, Mr Lynch took responsibility for the delay.

Mr Lynch also denied speculation that the delay was the result of external interference.

The Commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four divers in a pipeline on February 25th, 2022.

Mr Lynch noted statements from the divers’ families criticizing the extension and said while he understands their frustration, the Commission must follow the law.

He admitted that last year, he thought the report would have been completed by Easter 2023.

However, he said at that time, he did not know there would be 78 witnesses generating almost 3,350 pages of evidence and almost 13,500 pages of exhibits, as well as videos, audios, pictures, transcripts, letters and other correspondence.

Meanwhile, Mr Lynch revealed that letters were sent to the Commission by lawyers for Kenson, Heritage Petroleum and Paria accusing it of bias.

He adds however that no request was made for a sitting to discuss the issue.

Mr Lynch clarified that he knows Attorney General Reginald Armour from a previous trial in Turks and Caicos, but does not see this as a conflict of interest, since the AG’s Office is not part of the Commission’s proceedings.