(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(c) and (d), a document is a “relevant document” if it is likely that the inquiry body would (if aware of the existence of the document) wish to be provided with it.
Penalty for threats, etc., to witnesses
6.—(1) Any person who—
- (a) hinders or attempts to hinder any person, who has been summoned to attend as a witness before any inquiry body, from attending as a witness or from giving evidence before the inquiry body; or
- (b) by threats or coercion, deters or attempts to deter any person from giving such evidence,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.
(2) Any person who wilfully threatens, insults, injures or causes loss or disadvantage to any person for having given evidence, or on account of the evidence which he has given before the inquiry body, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.
Contempt
7.—(1) Any person who—
- (a) offers any act of disrespect or any insult or threat to an inquiry body or to any member in the exercise of that member’s powers or functions as a member while sitting in the inquiry body;
- (b) offers any act of disrespect or any insult or threat at any other time and place to an inquiry body or to any member on account of the exercise of that member’s powers or functions as a member;
- (c) wilfully interrupts, obstructs or disturbs the proceedings of an inquiry body;
- (d) without lawful excuse, refuses to take an oath or make an affirmation when required to do so by an inquiry body;
- (e) having been served with a summons referred to in paragraph 1(2)(d), without lawful excuse, disobeys the summons;
- (f) as a witness, without lawful excuse, refuses to answer any question relevant to the inquiry to which a member requires an answer; or
- (g) does any other act or thing that would, if the inquiry body were a court of record, constitute a contempt of court,
shall be guilty of contempt.
(2) Any person who is guilty of contempt shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
