(Trinidad Express) President of the Caribbean Court of Justice Michael de la Bastide says he is unaware of attempts to remove Justice David Hayton from the court.
Following Friday’s reports that the sitting judge, who hails from the UK, was in hot water for views he expressed in a Sunday Express interview, Court Protocol and Information Officer Michael Lilla issued a denial on Friday.
“As far as the president is aware, there are no moves being made to remove Justice David Hayton from the Caribbean Court of Justice,” the statement read.
Lilla also stated that “the president of the Caribbean Court of Justice had no discussion whatever (sic) with Attorney General John Jeremie concerning the interview with Mr Justice Hayton published in the Sunday Express, or any other matter related thereto.”
However, on Tuesday, de la Bastide reprimanded Justice Hayton in an advertisement in the Express for what he deemed “inappropriate and improper” comments about political and constitutional matters, such as the Prime Minister’s power of veto in the appointment of key judicial posts, and the Opposition Leader’s resistance to the CCJ.
That same day, Attorney General Jeremie also told the media: “(Justice Hayton) has certainly stepped beyond the boundaries of ordinary judicial criticism and in a forum which is not appropriate. I know that as we speak that efforts are being made to find a resolution to that issue and I would prefer to say no more on that for the time being.”