By Azara Lavia
Former Attorney General Justin Simon KC has labelled Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s recent criticism of the judiciary as “troubling”.
Following last week’s fatal shooting of Liberta resident Kergus Martin, Browne took to his Facebook page to condemn the fact the alleged assailant had apparently recently been given bail.
The PM claimed the judiciary was “failing” society by giving known criminals bail and “short sentences”, enabling them to become repeat offenders.
Simon, speaking at a press conference held by the United Progressive Party on Monday, said the comments made by the country’s leader were not only misguided but factually incorrect.
“Given the recognised constitutional fact that the judiciary is the third and only independent branch of government, it is more than troubling to hear the Prime Minister publicly castigate the judiciary, an institution that must always remain and be seen to be impartial and free from
political interference to function effectively,” Simon said.
“When the executive branch unjustly criticises the judiciary, especially in such a public manner, it risks undermining public confidence in the legal system and compromising the judiciary’s ability to operate without fear or favour,” Simon said.
He said the judiciary is not the root cause of the escalating gun violence in Antigua and Barbuda.
“The real issue lies in the failure to secure the borders and thereby prevent the constant flow of illegal firearms into the country. It is there that the government’s focus should be directed,” Simon charged.
“The proliferation of guns in the communities is not a result of judicial leniency; it is a direct consequence of inadequate border security, whether at the seaports, along the coastline, and at the international airport.”
He further stated that if guns are entering the ports with apparent ease, then the priority must be to strengthen the seaports, Customs, and border control measures.
Simon is adamant that more resources need to be allocated to these areas, and that stricter enforcement of laws is critical, along with a concerted effort to dismantle the networks responsible for smuggling deadly weapons into the country.
The attorney is of the view that the police must have some suspicion as to the persons responsible for bringing in the weapons, given their interrogations of the many persons found in possession of unlicensed firearms.
UPP Leader Jamale Pringle said, “The UPP have expressed their concern about the escalation in crime. As a citizen, as a parliamentarian, as a family man, I share the pain and fear that residents are feeling.
“Just to remind the public of how committed we are, the United Progressive Party continue to do our part in ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda is safe for not only those who come here but persons who live here.”
Pringle said he wrote to the Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney over a month ago sharing the party’s anxiety over crime but claims he has yet to receive a response. He called for a national consultation involving all relevant authorities in a bid to crack down on the scourge of violent offences.
