Report: Ramdeen resigns again

According to unconfirmed reports reaching Newsday yesterday, Leela Ramdeen, head of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CSJ), has resigned. However, Clive Belgrave, acting Episcopal Delegate responsible for Communications, said: “If she had resigned, I would be aware. I am prepared to say that.” He also said he spoke to her at Archbishop’s House yesterday. Ramdeen has been at the centre of controversy following the statement she issued on the Chief Justice issue. Last Friday, Archbishop Edward Gilbert apologised to the Government for the statement and said if he had seen the contents, it would not have been issued. Ramdeen offered to resign, but the Archbishop reportedly refused to accept the letter. Criticism of her statement continued over the weekend.

Belgrave said Ramdeen was “obviously upset, particularly by people’s reaction to her.” He said she was carrying on with her work. Asked if the response by some people has been venomous, Belgrave said he was not in a position to judge. He said people often took polarised positions on issues and the people who are not supportive “would be vociferous.” Ramdeen could not be reached for comment yesterday. In the statement sent out on February 12, the CSJ expressed concern over allegations of a plot to remove Chief Justice Sat Sharma. It said the matter was serious and could have serious repercussions on the Judiciary and country. The commission stated that protocol seemed to have been discarded and warned that “none of us shall escape unscathed if we do not halt in our tracks and let good sense prevail.”