By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton has made a startling disclosure about a recent conversation with President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Winston Anderson, concerning the long-delayed appointment of a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice.
Speaking at a recent press briefing, Norton explained that during what he believed to be a neutral engagement, the CCJ President raised the issue of the top judicial posts — but the discussion, according to Norton, quickly revealed troubling implications.
“I started to talk to him. I made the assumption that he knew my position on super session, and therefore he was engaging in that context. Unfortunately, it wasn’t — and I ended it,” Norton said, emphasizing his opposition to any move that might “supersede” current acting appointments.
Almost two weeks ago, Norton had hinted that an interlocutor was acting on behalf of President Irfaan Ali in attempts to discuss the sensitive judicial appointments. Still, on Thursday, he confirmed that the individual was none other than Justice Winston Anderson himself.
“We as a party were in the forefront of pushing for the CCJ,” Norton said, “but when actions like these and others that occurred during the election happen, it raises serious questions about the credibility of the CCJ.”
The revelation follows a letter written by Darwin Bess, Leader of the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC), to the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission and the Guyana Bar Association, expressing concern about a possible conflict of interest in Justice Anderson’s role and conduct.
Norton maintained that the developments “raise serious concerns about the impartiality of the Caribbean Court of Justice,” asserting that his confidence in the regional judicial body has been shaken.
“I will never see them in the same light that I saw them at the inception of their establishment,” he concluded.
