The opposition says it is awaiting the written reasons for the Court of Appeal’s ruling regarding the Director of Public Prosecutions’ tenure, and will make a determination as to any next steps, once it reviews those reasons.

This, in response to today’s court ruling which in effect reinstates Paula Llewellyn as the DPP.

The People’s National Party had taken the matter to court, challenging the government’s decision to extend the retirement age of the both DPP and the Auditor General.

Today, the court of appeal ruled on the matter, overturning the ruling of the constitutional court, stating that the lower court erred when it struck down the constitutional amendment extending the tenure of the DPP.

In a statement, opposition spokesperson on Justice Senator Donna Scott Mottley said the party has taken note of the Court of Appeal ruling overturning the unanimous decision of the supreme court by allowing the government’s appeal in respect of the challenge to the constitution providing a second extension of the tenure in office of the then DPP.

Scott Mottley said while the opposition respects the Court of Appeal’s decision, it takes this opportunity to reiterate two of the fundamental concerns that led to challenge that legislation in court. 

She said the government’s enactment of constitutional legislation without any consultation with the opposition on a matter concerning a particularly sensitive office, coupled with the unprecedented haste to pass it through parliament without proper review or any prepared debate, amounted to a pernicious abuse of power, inimical to good governance in a constitutional democracy.

She said the government’s approach was all the more egregious given the constitutional reform process that was then underway, which was completely sidestepped by this rushed constitutional change.

Scott Mottley said the opposition remains steadfast in the commitment to democratic principles of government, and will continue to defend the constitution and people of Jamaica whenever it feels they are in jeopardy from an abusive use of political power.