Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a statement Sunday to clarify statements made last week by Justice Minister Herbert Volney, calling the minister's statements "unfortunate and unnecessary".However she said Volney's comments "may have been made in the context of a first time Budget debate for the Honourable Minister and therefore, may have been simply over-enthusiastic."
The statement added that the Prime Minister "wishes to further reinforce the fact that the views expressed by Minister Volney reflect his personal opinion and in NO WAY is the official position of the Prime Minister or the People's Partnership Government regarding its perception, attitude or policy concerning the judicial arm of the State and indeed, the Honourable Chief Justice himself".
The former High Court judge attacked Chief Justice Ivor Archie, suggesting that he was in collusion with the previous Attorney General in a sweetheart deal that included "an opulent mansion in Goodwood Park".
Volney noted that "preceding Chief Justices had the great humility to live in their own residences, thereby saving taxpayers the cost of supporting opulence in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year at a time of thrift for the nation. And the rest of the pack grumbled at the housing pittance allowed them".
His remarks brought a rebuff from State Counsel Dana Seetahal, who called the minister's comments "unfair" and "irresponsible".
She said Volney was out of place, adding that his attack on the CJ was unwarranted, since the CJ's "supergrade" housing is part of his entitlement and guaranteed in the constitution.
In her statement Sunday, the Prime Minister noted that during Volney's contribution to the budget debate he stated his Ministry’s intent to consult with the Chief Justice on matters concerning the administration of justice, "thereby recognizing himself the independence of the Judiciary and the necessity for his Ministry to give this body its full cooperation and due respect".
She said her People’s Partnership Government "understands the importance and value of a good working relationship with the Judiciary to improve the administration of Justice for the benefit and greater good of all our citizens and our society.
"To this end, the government is committed to fulfilling its obligations, including providing appropriate housing accommodation for the Honourable Chief Justice and members of the judiciary."
She added that she confident that members of the Judiciary "will recognize these realities in their infinite wisdom and maturity, and ensure a continued receptive, cordial and professional relationship between the Government and the Judiciary."
The Prime Minister also stated that she and several members of the People’s Partnership Government and Cabinet "through public statements and legal action, came to the staunch defense of the rule of law and were strong proponents of the independence of the judiciary, especially during the trying times of the historic, unfortunate and illegal move of the former Patrick Manning PNM regime to impeach the former Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma."
1 comment:
The public censure of the Minister of Justice by the Prime Minister is tantamount to a loss of confidence in the minister by the Prime Minister.
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