Senior Supreme Court justice Jon Isaacs yesterday granted veteran prosecutor Cheryl Grant-Bethell leave to apply for a judicial review of the process by which she was bypassed for the post of director of public prosecutions (DPP). Grant-Bethell is now one step closer to having a hearing to challenge that decision by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
The decision to grant leave came after a 20-minute closed court hearing in chambers with justice Isaacs.
Grant-Bethell was represented by attorneys Wayne Munroe and Obie Ferguson. “Following the hearing Munroe confirmed, to the media that they now have 14 days to file a notice of motion. Once that is done, a date will be set for the hearing to begin, Munroe confirmed. Grant-Bethell names as respondents the chief justice in his capacity as chairman of the judicial and Legal Service Commission, all other members of the commission and Attorney General John Delaney, in both his official and personal capacities.
Justice Isaacs also granted an order preventing any interference with Grant-Bethell as she discharges her duties as deputy director of public prosecutions (DDPP).
“We got leave subsequent to the press release by the Office of the Attorney General. It becomes apparent that they may attempt to interfere with her (Grant-Bethell) in discharging her duties so an order enjoining them was granted to prevent that. It is dischargeable on 48 hours notice to us,” Munroe told reporters outside the main Supreme Court building.
In a statement released vast week, the Attorney General’s Office said Grant Bethell was promoted and appointed Deputy Law Reform and Revision Commissioner and that she has no assignment in the Department of Public Prosecutions.
Munroe contends, however, that Grant-Bethell never accepted the post and is still carrying out duties as DDPP.
Jamaican attorney Vinette Graham-Allen has been appointed DPP. Graham-Allen began meeting with staff and senior management at the Office of the Attorney General on Monday setting in place policies and procedures for the administration of the department.
Munroe said he has no idea how long the judicial review process will take. This will be determined by what disputes arise, he explained.
“We do not know what their positions will be we will have to serve them,” Munroe said. Ferguson said the case has significance when it comes to workers rights.
“I am here to lend my experience, my expertise. I believe it is fundamental that the workers understand they have rights and they ought to be treated in a particular way. They are not servants. They provide a service and they ought to expect certain things to happen. Once reasonable expectations have been established those things should follow”, he explained.
Graham-Allen fills the post left vacant by former DPP Bernard Turner. Turner is now a Supreme Court justice.
Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham said recently in the House of Assembly that he initially supported Grant-Bethell for the post of DPP, but withdrew his support after certain information came to his attention. He never publicly revealed that information.
In her affidavit, Grant-Bethell alleges that Ingraham became hostile and threatened to ‘bloody’ her face- abolish her post and retire her in the public interest during a meeting on June 4 at his Cable Beach office on her potential appointment as DPP.
Ingraham has denied threatening Grant-Bethell.
By: Keva Lightbourne
The Nassau Guardian
