AG says Chancellor didn’t request response to judge’s letter

Attorney General Basil Williams SC today released correspondence from the Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards to show that she had not asked for a response to a letter of complaint that had been sent to her by Justice Franklyn Holder about Williams’ conduct.

In a statement to the press yesterday on the complaint by Justice Holder against the Attorney General, the acting Chancellor said that a copy of Justice Holder’s letter was sent to Williams by her  “for his information, guidance and any response. To date Mr Williams SC has not directly responded to that letter”.

The letter from the Acting Chancellor to Williams dated March 24th 2017 is a brief one. It says “I forward herewith the attached letter from Mr. Justice Franklyn Holder. For your information”. There is nothing in the letter asking for a response to the judge’s letter.

On the same day that she wrote, Williams, the Chancellor also wrote President David Granger a fuller letter. This letter was also released today by Williams. Referring to Justice Holder’s report on the courtroom confrontation with Williams on March 23,  the letter to the President said  “I bring to your Excellency’s attention the caption “AG threatened Judge” on the online “Citizens Report” and in the printed media (Kaieteur News). The reports are damaging to both the judiciary and brings the office of the Attorney General into disrepute.

“I am obliged as acting Chancellor of the Judiciary to bring to your attention the letter from Justice Holder and the current state of affairs.

“I have sent a copy of the report from Justice Franklyn Holder to the Honourable Attorney-General”.  The Chancellor then ends the letter.

Williams also released a letter he sent to the Chancellor on April 19th. His letter did not refer to the one the Chancellor sent him on March 23rd. The letter said “Please find attached two (2) copies of my response to Justice Holder’s letter of complaint, referred to His Excellency President Brigadier David Arthur Granger by your Honour.

“I have also attached clippings of newspapers which were spawned by Mr Anil Nandlall’s putrid allegation against my unblemished character and the contents of Justice Holder’s letter of complaint”.

Questions had been raised about why weeks had elapsed without the Chancellor taking a course of action on the matter as she had promised.

Monday is fixed for a continuation of the case which led to the complaint against Williams. In his complaint to the Chancellor, Justice Holder had described the AG’s conduct as despicable and said that he would not be hearing him in any matter unless there is an apology in open court. The AG on the other hand in a reply to the President has said that he didn’t have anything to apologise for.

It is now left to be seen what will transpire on Monday when the court is convened.