OPPOSITION Spokesman on National Security, Derrick Smith, on Monday called on National Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips to publicly clarify issues in a recent report titled, A Study of Criminal Deportation, which he tabled in the House of Representative recently.

In a statement to the press, Smith noted that “a number of concerns have arisen since the tabling of the report – not the least of which is the denial by Professor Barry Chevannes that he was one of the principals involved in the study”.

In addition, Smith noted that both Chevannes and his colleague, Professor Bernard Headley, have described the report as being ‘terribly flawed’.

Smith added that the public should be given “full and actual information, and not information which raises so many questions, and which has been described as flawed by such prominent Sociologists”.

Added Smith: “I am also deeply concerned that a possible ‘flawed’ report could form the basis of National Security Policy as it affects the issue of deportees.”

“I am even more concerned that, in light of the facts that the deportees issue has now become a regional one and is one of the main issues being considered by regional Ministers of National Security, our contribution to these regional discussions could be based on flawed information,” he added.

He also called on Phillips to immediately release the contents of the 2001 report so that “the public can compare the information in a bid to resolve this complex issue”.

“I also intend to table a number of questions on this issue when the House of Representatives resumes in January 2007,” added Smith.