Dear Editor,

M. Leonard says “The government denial is preposterous,” (‘Government is on the defensive’ SN, August 4)

Is it?

Minister Ramsammy has categorically denied ordering the surveillance equipment from the Smith Myers Co. Is he lying? Of course not. Ramsammy must know whether he ordered and signed any purchase order – or admitted same on tape. I don’t believe Ramsammy’s fingerprints are on anything that can prove he ordered the eavesdropping equipment.

Does that let the government walk free from this charge? (Parliamentary democracy = collective responsibility.)

The concept of ‘plausible deniability’ could help to explain what happened. Did someone ‘steal’ Ramsammy’s stationery (letterhead) etc, and sign his name? Did they set this up so that the government can ‘convincingly’ deny the charge? A technical denial!

Minister Ramsammy certainly knew what he is doing when he issued an angry and categorical denial.

Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)