The PPP/C is “very concerned” about the state of the judiciary following the courtroom clash between Attorney-General Basil Williams, SC, and Justice Franklyn Holder, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday, while exhorting the leadership of the judiciary to defend judges from political interference.
During a press conference at his Church Street office, Jagdeo said that the entire world recognizes that Williams must apologize for his behaviour, which he said has led the judge to recuse himself from a case that was being heard that at time.
“This is a shameful day for the judiciary,” Jagdeo said.
Speaking directly to the leadership of the judiciary, he added: “If you do not defend the judges from political interference or from being bullied, then one day it will be your turn too and no one will then defend you.”
On March 23, Justice Holder rose from the bench in the middle of an exchange with Williams without adjourning the matter of Carvil Duncan’s challenge to his suspension as Public Service Commission Chairman, which he was presiding over.
Justice Holder subsequently indicated in a report to acting Chancellor Yonnette Cummings-Edwards that he will not be hearing any case involving Williams unless he apologizes in open court.
Before announcing his decision to recuse himself on May 8, when the case was scheduled to continue, the judge recalled the sequence of events from the previous hearing and he said the AG proceeded to make statements which were “insolent and disrespectful in both tone and content.”
He recounted the exchange with Williams and noted that it was after the AG declared, “I could say what I want to say and when I want to say it, I have always been like that,” that he was moved to rise from the bench.
Justice Holder said that taken individually, the statements he recounted that were made by Williams “may be perceived as insolent behaviour and not necessarily contempt of court.”
When considered collectively and within the time frame they were made, the judge, however, asserted that the statements prima facie constitute “contemptuous behaviour.”
It is unclear whether the acting Chancellor intends to act on the judge’s report.
