Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's lawyers may put the brakes on her appearing before a parliamentary committee on Friday to answer questions over the rice pledging scandal, despite her insistence that she would do so.
'I'm ready for checks and balances, just so long as they are fair,' Ms Yingluck told the NLA on Jan 9. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
A Pheu Thai Party source revealed on Thursday her legal team was concerned that she would face tough questioning over the scheme by the committee looking into impeachment proceedings launched against her.
Committee member Kittisak Rattanawaraha said early this week the former premier could appear in person or send a lawyer to answer questions on her behalf.
The source said Ms Yingluck was confident and intended to appear before the National Legislative Assembly committee in person after she was assessed to have done well and was able to argue all key allegations brought against her when giving an opening statement before the NLA last Friday.
However, her lawyers were afraid Ms Yingluck would be cornered by the nine-member inquiry panel which is seeking more detailed clarification of the rice programme from her.
They say Ms Yingluck only directed policy in the rice subsidy programme, and therefore any questions should be answered by the former ministers involved in the scheme.
The source said the legal team felt it was not necessary for Ms Yingluck to front the NLA committee, but if she does then the ex-ministers will accompany her and help answer questions on her behalf.
Ms Yingluck denied all accusations against her during her Jan 9 testimony. The NLA committee is expected to focus mainly on the losses of the rice-pledging scheme at Friday’s hearing.
The assembly has scheduled Jan 23 to vote on the impeachment case against Ms Yinbgluck over alleged negligence in the corruption-plagued scheme.