'Judge and Jury in Own Cause'

The Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee (SNRC) on Monday insisted its controversial findings are based on "concrete evidence" and lashed out at the West Indies Cricket Board for acting as "as judge and jury in its own cause."

In a joint statement distributed by accountant Gregory Georges, the three-man committee said it takes "serious exceptions" to the responses from the WICB and former president Teddy Griffith. The SNRC plans to provide a more detailed response to address specific issues raised by the WICB.

The Sponsorship Negotiations Review Committee takes serious exception to the responses from both Mr. Teddy Griffith, former President of the WICB and also from the current members of the WICB to our report handed over to Mr. Ken Gordon, President of the WICB, on August 15, 2005.

The Committee is firmly of the view that the Board has acted as judge and jury in its own cause, having appointed and confirmed that the committee is an independent committee.

The Committee's findings are based on concrete evidence which can and will be made available if necessary to defend its integrity. We strongly stand by the findings in our report and will provide a more detailed response addressing the specific issues raised by the WICB and Mr. Griffith in due course.