Browne Says No Order Was Given to Deport Judicial Officer

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he never instructed any government official to deport a member of the judiciary, despite previously raising deportation as a possible response to concerns about the administration of justice.

Speaking during the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said his earlier remarks have been portrayed as though he issued a formal directive.

“Even the threat about persona non grata, no instructions were given,” Browne said.

He said deportation was mentioned only as a possible option if the government could not obtain recourse from the judiciary over what he considers lenient sentences and the treatment of cases involving repeat offenders.

“If we can’t get any recourse and you have members violating, undermining our system to the extent that they’re undermining public safety … then I said that deportation is an option,” Browne said.

The prime minister maintained that his comments were not directed at a particular judgment and were not intended to influence any case before the courts.

Browne also reaffirmed the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary.

In a letter responding to a joint statement from Caribbean judicial leaders, he said there had been no request or action by his government to remove, reassign or deport a judicial officer.

Browne argued that judicial independence does not prevent elected officials from publicly criticising sentencing practices or proposing changes to the criminal justice system.

He has called for an independent panel to examine sentencing, repeat offending and coordination among the judiciary, executive and law-enforcement agencies.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: PM Denies Walking Back His Comments But Says No Order Was Given to Deport Judicial Officer.