PM rubbishes union’s claim that OECS Heads appoint Judges

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has made it clear that he and other Prime Ministers of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), have nothing to do with the appointment of High Court Judges, or Judges of the Court of Appeal.

Gonsalves was responding on radio this week to a letter from a trade union leader relating to Justice, Eddy Ventose’s ruling in the vaccine mandate case.

After reading the letter on air, Dr Gonsalves trashed it as “a lot of foolishness.”

The Prime Minister insisted that “Justice Ventose had an obligation; and that is how he ruled,” adding, “the prime ministers- we have absolutely nothing to do with the appointment of any judges of the Court of Appeal.”

“We have nothing to do with the appointment of any judge in any court,” he went on to also state.

The Prime Minister explained that the only person whom the OECS prime ministers unanimously recommend to be appointed, is the Chief Justice of the OECS Supreme Court.

He further explained that High Court judges, and judges of the Court of Appeal are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

Contrary to the letter, Gonsalves said the prime ministers are not involved in any search committee for High Court and Appeal Court Judges.

The Prime Minister also promised to speak to the Attorney General Grenville Williams, about the matter.

In the letter, the leader of a public sector union in this country made certain comments about Justice Ventose, who was one of the two Justices of Appeal in the vaccine mandate case that ruled in favour of the government which had appealed the ruling of the High Court.

The letter in part refers to “a special committee” which the union claims is appointed by the OECS Heads.

There is also reference in the letter to this country’s Minister of Health, Jimmy Prince and his daughter’s domestic affairs.