West Indies Cricket Board Chief Executive Dr Donald Peters. - file

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Beleaguered West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Chief Executive Officer Dr Donald Peters confirmed on Tuesday that he has been sent on administrative leave.

He has also been asked to have a hearing with the Finance, Audit & Human Resources committee of the WICB over the controversial issue of money spent for renovations to premises occupied by WICB president, Dr Julian Hunte.

Describing the contents of an e-mail he received on Monday evening from Dr Hunte as leaving him 'completely confused, surprised and overwhelmed', Dr Peters told CMC Sports the matter was now in the hands of his lawyers, led by Queen's Counsel Tony Astaphan.

He said he was advised by Astaphan 'not to meet with any committee of the WICB, until counsel has had an opportunity to talk with the WICB about fairness and due process'.

And a news conference, which was scheduled for yesterday in Antigua, the headquarters of the WICB and subsequently pushed back until mid-morning today, has now been postponed indefinitely.

Following an emergency internal investigation into who was the source of leaked information on the spending of money for renovations to Dr Hunte's office in St Lucia, WICB corporate services manager, Tony Deyal, was fired on Monday and Dr Peters sent on leave later the same day.

Shocking email

"I got an email from the president last evening (Monday) about 6:10 p.m.", Peters said. "It said that I am on leave and I have to attend a hearing of the Finance, Audit and Human Resources Committee of the board. I thought it would have been the Ethics Committee.

"I don't want to have a confrontation with the Board. The letter could have been sent in error so I have asked my attorneys to ensure that the contents are accurate."

The Dominican, who was appointed CEO last November 1, added: "My attorneys are dealing with it. I am completely confused, surprised and overwhelmed that in my capacity as CEO, who worked tirelessly in the interest of West Indies cricket, would be subject to such a level of intimidation from the president of the board.

"I have been advised by counsel not to meet with any committee of the board until counsel has had an opportunity to talk with the board about fairness and due process."

Peters said he was also in touch with Deyal, who, to his knowledge, was in consultation with lawyers as well.

Trinidadian Deyal worked with the WICB for two years and left the WICB's office on Monday morning around 11 o' clock for home, saying he was 'feeling sick'.

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