Think before you speak, Patrick

THE EDITOR: One has to wonder if our beloved Prime Minister thinks before he speaks, even when his intentions may be noble. Quoting verbatim, “The fact that Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne is my sister . . . if she breaks the law I will ensure that she is locked-up,” Mr Manning once again has shown his propensity to be a law unto himself.

May I remind the good PM that there is a due process in the law, of which he has no part to play whatsoever in “locking-up” anyone, save providing evidence to the police and DPP whose job it is to ensure criminal proceedings are brought against an individual. It is then up to a judge and jury to do any “locking-up.” Mr Manning must respect the doctrine of the separation of powers and allow the judicial arm of the state to perform its duties without any interference from the executive. Maybe Manning is practising his “Robber Talk” for the upcoming Carnival season. Let’s hope it’s nothing more than that, for if it is, we are in serious trouble.

WAYNE JAGGERNAUTH
Loughborough University
United Kingdom