AG's trial told of his 'absolute integrity'

The Island’s Attorney General has been described as an ‘advocate of absolute integrity’, at the trial investigating his alleged wrongdoing.

Fifty-two-year-old Stephen Harding denies a charge of perjury and committing acts against public justice, relating to the winding-up of former Island business Street Heritage on 2010.

And on day three of his trial yesterday, a prosecution witness who has known him professionally for more than 20 years praised his honest approach and described him as ‘old school’.

Jerry Carter was less complimentary about the owner of Street Heritage, Jonathan Irving, who he had represented at the time the company collapsed.

He said the Irving family’s shock and distress at the firm being wound up, quickly changed to them becoming ‘almost litigious’ and ‘opportunistic’ – bringing actions against all and sundry.

‘The more I looked at the Street Heritage finances, the more sceptical I was,’ he told the court.

And he admitted he had little confidence in their ability to raise the £182,000 they owed in unpaid tax.

Today is day four of evidence.

The trial resumes this morning.