ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA: The Bar Association of Grenada (GBA) says it has launched an investigation into reports that searches have been conducted on members under questionable circumstances. "An investigation is being launched by the association into reports that registry files on Anslem Clouden and Peter David have been searched under questionable circumstances," GBA President Ruggles Ferguson said. Ferguson said that the manner in which the search was requested points to possible "malicious intent." "It is not unusual to make requests for files in the registry, however, it is unusual to make requests of files of attorneys who have been called to the Bar, and of course there would be some motivation behind that," he said. "But I think what is the greater concern on the part of the two complaining attorneys is . because there was an attempt to do it very surreptitiously," he added. Sources at the island's registry said one of the searches was ordered by a legal advisor to the government, and the other by a relative of a member of cabinet. Ferguson said the GBA would not be treating the matter lightly saying the investigation would determine "exactly what is behind this smoke". "I say it is not unusual to make requests but for that particular files, those would not be normal request and more importantly in this case the source of the files and the manner in which they are going about obtaining these files and there is general concern that there may be ulterior motives involved in sourcing those files". Clouden has been a member of at least two political parties that have been very critical of the New National Party (NNP) government, while David is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He is among politicians calling for an investigation into the recent allegations against Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell. "The police should be brought in to this matter," David said. SOURCE: CARIBUPDATE.COM