Manning suggests UNC interfered in independence of Judiciary

Patrick Manning suggested Wednesday night that the United National Congress (UNC) might have compromised the independence of the Judiciary in Trinidad and Tobago by accepting a former judge and a magistrate.

The leader of the People's national Movement (PNM) made the charge when he addressed a political meeting in Penal.

He was responding to the news that Justice Herbert Volney had quit the High Court to run as a UNC candidate in the May 24 general election and that magistrate Ramraj Harripersad had also resigned to offer himself as a UNC candidate.

At the same time, Manning said the Judiciary is now rejoicing because Volney is no longer a judge and can be investigated.

He also asked whether both men had used their judicial positions to the advantage of the UNC.

"What decisions of these two gentlemen have been influenced by their association of the United National Congress, have they been taking decisions against the Government?" he asked

Manning added, "To what extent have they been taking decisions on the bench that are in favour of the friends and the supporters and the financiers and the well wishers of the United National Congress...to what extent has the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago been interfered with?"

He said the move by the two is "entirely out of order".

The PNM leader added, "What is worse they appear with their sanctimonious platitudes, the UNC, accusing the PNM and the Prime Minister in particular of all kinds of things when the ones who are really guilty of nefarious acts are the leadership and membership of the United National Congress.

"I am asking the question, has judicial independence been compromised?

He suggested that there was some sort of sinister arrangement between the two and the UNC.

"Do you believe, my dear friends, that both honourable gentlemen resigned and then decided to become candidates or do you believe that a discussion was taking place between the two honourable gentlemen and the United National Congress while they were still on the bench," he said.

Manning added, "I ask you another question, my dear friends, how long have those discussions been going on? How long has there been an association with the two members of the bench and the United National Congress?

"Has there been interference in the Judiciary by the United National Congress in violation of the concept of separation of powers?" Manning asked.

"It is not simple at all, it is fundamental and when you start to interfere with judicial independence you are interfering with the governing system at the very root at its very core and those who do that like to accuse others of being dictator.

"They accuse me of being a dictator, have I ever done anything like that my dear friends? Never!" Manning declared.

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The stakes are indeed very high, the financial position of the country is very strong notwithstanding what my honourable lady friend has said...and the real prize is the Treasury of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, they want to put their hands on that!" he charged.