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Former Opposition Leader Michael Baptiste has requested an answer from Barbadian jurist Dr. Richard Cheltenham, as to the motive behind controversial Jamaican Attorney-at-law, Hugh Wildman being allowed to sit at the table for Counsels involved in the "Briefcase" Commission of Inquiry looking into allegations of wrong doings against Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

Wildman was seen sitting next to former Trinidad and Tobago Attorney-General, Ramesh Maharaj who is the legal representative for the Prime Minister in the inquiry.

During submissions by Maharaj, the Jamaican lawyer who also holds the post of Special Prosecutor, Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit and Legal Counsel to Cabinet, was often seen nodding his head repeatedly in agreement with the legal arguments.

In addressing the Commission, Baptiste questioned the reason for Wildman to be allowed to sit among the lawyers based on his relationship with the present administration. "Wildman who is the holder of several positions in the government including that of Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Grenada, sits at the table in a happy discussion with Counsel for Mr. Keith Mitchell", Baptiste told Cheltenham.

"Given Sir, that this is an Inquiry, if it is concluded that yes there were wrong doings on the part of Mr. Keith Mitchell, I am just asking for information what would be the status of Mr. Wildman", Baptiste queried. "I take it that you will be a witness in this matter and that we might get your statements shortly", Commissioner Cheltenham said to the former Opposition Leader.

Baptiste also asked the Barbadian jurist whether or not the key players, Eric Resteiner and Timothy Bass will appear before the Commission. Dr. Cheltenham responded by saying that is too early to say whether Resteiner will testify since strenuous efforts are continuing to be made to reach the fraudster and his Counsel and that in due course the nation will be given an answer on the issue.

However, Dr. Cheltenham declined to comment on the reason why the controversial Wildman was allowed to sit at the table for Counsels involved in the Commission. Baptiste also claimed that he was the first person with information on the Briefcase issue when he ran into Resteiner at Gatwick Airport, in London in 2001.

The Wildman issue first attracted the attention of the media covering the inquiry when President of the Grenada Bar Association (GBA) Ruggles Ferguson rose to address the Commission on behalf of Opposition Leader, Tillman Thomas. Wildman was seen repeatedly laughing and engaging in deep conversation with Maharaj.

Ferguson was attempting to get Thomas, who is also the Political Leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) afforded official participation in the inquiry as a matter of public interest by an attorney of his choice to question and cross examine witnesses. The submission was turned down Tuesday by Commissioner Cheltenham.

Relations are rather cold between Wildman and members of the Grenada Bar Association (GBA) of which Ferguson is the head. The lawyers staged a one month strike in February against the decision by government to appoint Wildman to the post of Attorney General.

The Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) later turned down the recommendation in the face of representation made by GBA with supporting documents about the conduct in public of Wildman not only in Grenada but his homeland.

Governor General Sir. Daniel Williams established the Inquiry after the Miami-based Offshore Alert carried a report allegding that Dr. Mitchell accepted US$500,000.00 in a briefcase from international fraudster, Eric Resteiner to appoint him as a diplomat.

The incident is said to have taken place in Switzerland in June 2000 and was video-taped by Resteiner's Chief of Security, Timothy Bass.

The Commission reconvened at the Grenada Trade Center on Monday after almost nine months of delay due to damage caused to York House as a result of the passage of hurricane Ivan last year.