( L - R ) Deyal, Peters

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

In the aftermath of an emergency internal investigation into who was the source of leaked information on the spending of money for renovations to premises in St Lucia occupied by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Dr Julian Hunte, Corporate Services Manager Tony Deyal has been fired and chief executive officer, Dr Donald Peters, is to be sent on unspecified, administrative leave immediately.

Informed sources told CMC Sports yesterday that the decisions were taken following a WICB meeting in Castries last week, as Hunte and the WICB sought to clear the air on the controversial matter.

Hunte is to hold a news conference at the WICB's headquarters in Antigua tomorrow.

Still on the job

But when contacted on the issue yesterday afternoon and asked if he had received a letter from the WICB, Dr Peters, a Dominican who took up the CEO post last November 1, said he was still very much on the job and expected 'to continue'.

He also confirmed that Deyal, a Trinidadian who worked with the WICB for two years, had left the Factory Road, St John's office earlier in the morning after saying he 'felt sick'.

"I have heard that (of the dismissals) myself and persons from the media have been calling me, but nobody from the WICB has informed me about anything," Dr Peters told CMC in a telephone link-up.

"There is no reason for me to expect that they will because I have never been accused by the WICB of any wrongdoing, so I do not expect any letter from them.

"I want to assure you that I am at my office doing my work and I expect to continue."

Asked whether Deyal was also on the job at the time, Dr Peters responded: "Tony felt sick so he went home around 11 o'clock."

Sources said Dr Peters was to be given an option of meeting with the WICB human resources committee, in accordance with his contract, to explain his position on the handling of the matter pertaining to Hunte's office.

The sources further pointed out that a meeting was expected to be held with Dr Peters today.

According to the sources, Dr Peters was in consultation with his lawyers on the issue.

Following its meeting last Thursday and Friday, the WICB issued a news release last Saturday, categorically denying that it had spent any money on renovations or repairs to premises occupied by Dr Hunte.

"WICB acknowledges that it is renting an office in St Lucia for use by its president, in keeping with a now established tradition of maintaining an office in the place of residence of the board's president," the news release said.

"The premises being rented by the WICB in St Lucia are owned by West Indies General Insurance Company limited - a company in which the Hon Dr Julian Hunte is a major shareholder."

Highest standards

The news release added: "The WICB is an 80-year-old regional institution that operates in the international community and asserts its commitment to ensure that the affairs and conduct of the members of the board of directors and its officers are held to the highest standards.

"The board also wishes to express its regret for any damage that may have been done to the reputation of the Hon Dr Julian Hunte and his family because of the unfounded allegations made against him in the press in recent times."

Dr Peters took over as CEO from Trinidadian Bruce Aanensen, who resigned in August 2007 after taking up the position in February the same year.

Aanensen had replaced Barbadian Roger Brathwaite, who stepped down in 2006 - like Aanesnsen - in controversial circumstances.