The statement made by the Prime Minister, in relation to Court Marshals, in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 is a clear indication that he is reckless with the truth or that he has a chronic truth-telling problem.
When Freundel Stuart was the Attorney General, he made a speech lambasting Marshals for not adequately performing their duties. At a subsequent meeting with the Registrar of the Supreme Court and the Marshals, he apologised for his remarks when he was shown that he was in error. He also claimed that he was unaware of the problems and promised to rectify the situation as soon as possible. He did nothing and, is now setting up the Marshals for ridicule and abuse from the public.
The truth is far different from what the PM would have the country believe. Persons appointed as Marshal II are responsible for serving court documents. There are 55 such established posts. When the DLP took office in January 2008, there were 25 vacancies for the post of Marshal II. Of the 30 remaining, thirteen are assigned to do duty in the High Court and Court of Appeal. In addition, others are assigned to the Magistrates’ Courts. Most days there are a maximum of thirteen Marshals available to serve court documents. Things have gotten so bad that some districts do not have a marshal assigned to them.
See Related Link: Prime Minister, Do the Decent Thing and Apologise
The 25 vacancies increased when a marshal was retired medically unfit last year and, and another retired from the Public Service in January. To be fair, I have to report that Government recruited five (5) persons in February this year to fill the 27 vacancies.
How on God’s earth can the Prime Minister be so unreasonable to expect 30 persons to do the work was intended for fifty-five. When the department was at full strength in the 1980s, the 55 Marshal II post were thought to be insufficient to adequately do what was required. I do not believe that he expects the job to be done. A blind man can see that his Government is setting up the Court Process Office to fail.
I firmly believe that the PM’s constant abuse of Court Marshals is the forerunner to a sinister move to privatise the process serving aspect of the Marshals’ duties. He hinted that much in his speech. When the PM constantly misrepresents the facts about the situation at the Court Process Office, the public would have no sympathy for the much vilified Marshals when Government privatise their functions.
Come on Mr. Prime Minister, you know that you are not being truthful. Such deliberate misrepresentations are unbecoming of anyone holding the high office of Prime Minister. SHAME ON YOU!
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