Dear Editor,
All those who have been asking for the resignation of Minister Azan have shown neither legal basis nor breach of any convention of the constitution for so asking.
In this context, the learned contractor general has made no decision to charge him, but has merely sought the opinion and direction of the director of public prosecutions, who has not yet given any direction in the matter.
In relation to the convention of the constitution, I think it would be safe to say that if the director of public prosecutions directs prosecution, Azan would be expected to either take leave or step down as minister pending the result of criminal proceedings.
Again, as I see it, our prime minister said she would make a decision after the contractor general has made his report. I think it is fair to conclude that that decision is contingent on what the report says and, in substance, the contractor general is asking for the opinion of the director of public prosecutions and so wouldn't it be fair to expect Mr Azan and the prime minister to stay any call for action by or against Mr Azan until the nation has heard from the DPP.
Do I have to remind the public and all those who have been accusing both our Government and Mr Azan for inaction, inspite of recent widely published decision of our courts that criminal prosecution can be instituted by any citizen. And is not the contractor general not only a citizen, but one who may take action in relation to the contract in question? He has wisely chosen to take the action of asking for an opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Owen S Crosbie
Mandeville, Manchester
oss@cwjamaica.com
All those who have been asking for the resignation of Minister Azan have shown neither legal basis nor breach of any convention of the constitution for so asking.
In this context, the learned contractor general has made no decision to charge him, but has merely sought the opinion and direction of the director of public prosecutions, who has not yet given any direction in the matter.
In relation to the convention of the constitution, I think it would be safe to say that if the director of public prosecutions directs prosecution, Azan would be expected to either take leave or step down as minister pending the result of criminal proceedings.
Again, as I see it, our prime minister said she would make a decision after the contractor general has made his report. I think it is fair to conclude that that decision is contingent on what the report says and, in substance, the contractor general is asking for the opinion of the director of public prosecutions and so wouldn't it be fair to expect Mr Azan and the prime minister to stay any call for action by or against Mr Azan until the nation has heard from the DPP.
Do I have to remind the public and all those who have been accusing both our Government and Mr Azan for inaction, inspite of recent widely published decision of our courts that criminal prosecution can be instituted by any citizen. And is not the contractor general not only a citizen, but one who may take action in relation to the contract in question? He has wisely chosen to take the action of asking for an opinion of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Owen S Crosbie
Mandeville, Manchester
oss@cwjamaica.com