Panday demands referendum on CCJ as final TT appeal court

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is demanding a referendum on whether Trinidad and Tobago should abolish the Privy Council as its final court of appeal.

In a media statement Panday said, "Replacing the Privy Council with the CCJ (Caribbean Court of Justice) is dependant on the confidence of the people, but I want the Prime Minister to justify to this nation if and why we should get rid of the Privy Council."

Panday noted statements attributed to CCJ Judge David Hayton in which Hayton is quoted as saying he doesn't see the country adopting the CCJ until the Opposition Leader ceases to hold that post. Hayton is also reported to have said the CCJ would probably never replace the Privy Council given the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.

Panday said Hayton’s statements have tainted the CCJ and "he continues to preside over domestic matters, hence the need to take the facts to the people so that they may understand what is happening in the judiciary in this country."

He added, "One wonders given Justice Hayton’s comments whether a UNC politician or sympathiser can expect justice under the CCJ? How can we trust the CCJ?

"We have also seen where the conduct of the Chief Magistrate and other high office holders has brought the justice system into disrepute. Who can say that this would not happen again?"

The former prime minister said the nation "has lost confidence because of government’s interference and attempts to manipulate the system for their own political objectives."

He said it is not enough for the Prime Minister to say we should replace the Privy Council with a local equivalent. "We need to be sure that the final court of appeal is independent and free from political influence. Given Hayton’s comments it is clear that the CCJ is neither independent nor free from political influence."