Manning gets Independent support in CJ row

Prime Minister Patrick Manning got the thumbs up from two Independent Senators for his statement in the Senate yesterday on issues relating to Chief Justice Sat Sharma. But the UNC gave him the thumbs down. Noting that the Constitution empowered the Prime Minister to do a fact-finding exercise, Independent Senator Prof Ramesh Deosaran said the PM had put the issue quite clearly for the national community. Manning also conveyed some warnings for those people who might want to cross the line, the professor noted. He said the statement should quell some of the excitement and panic in the country over the issue.

“The Judiciary is a very precious element in our democratic life. But at the same time no man should be above the law and I think due process has been invoked and in the end we should all be happy to know that justice would not be done but would appear to be done,” he said. Deosaran said he thought it was most appropriate now for a Tribunal to be established so that rumours could be left behind and the facts clarified for the national community. “I think the issue should end at the Tribunal. That is the only way to differentiate fairness from injustice and rumour from fact,” he said, adding that the Tribunal should consist of men and women of repute.

Independent Senator Eastlyn McKenzie also thought the PM’s statement cut down on the speculation and rumour. “He has chronicled the events and we are now waiting to hear what would unfold,” she said. She added that the Prime Minister adopted the right course, calling in the Chief Justice, writing him and giving him a chance to respond to the allegations against him. “That is probably what I would have done had I been in the same position,” she said. UNC Senator Wade Mark was distressed that the Opposition was not allowed to ask questions at the end of the PM’s statement.

He said the UNC had written to Manning and his statement did not respond to their concerns. Mark said that the UNC wanted to know what Justice Roger Hamel-Smith discussed with the President and the Attorney General at alleged meetings with them. Despite the PM’s categorical denial that he met any judge, Mark said the UNC also understood that Justice Wendell Kangaloo met the Prime Minister. Mark said the UNC wanted to get information to ascertain if there was a conspiracy to target the Chief Justice.