PM, Opposition Leader to meet Friday on CCJ

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss the government's plan to replace the London-based Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on criminal matters.

The government is considering a phased move away from the Privy Council as Trinidad & Tobago's final court of appeal.

Rowley said on Monday while he supports the change, he wants to see a total move away from the Privy Council. He insisted that he would only support the government if there is a complete change to the CCJ.

"If we are leaving the Privy Council, let us take up our hat, our coat and our cane and go home to the Caribbean Court of Justice and when you do that it doesn't matter what the COP says, you can be guaranteed of PNM support in the Parliament," Rowley said.

The Congress of the People (COP), which is a member of the governing coalition, said last week it wants a referendum on the matter.

Rowley has dismissed that idea and suggested that the best referendum is a general election.