Government has come up with a shortlist of applicants to fill the post of Chief Justice. At the last meeting of the House of Representatives on November 12th., the Prime Minister said he was, quote:
"perfectly happy to get some members of the Bar…Association to help us go through the list of applications." But today when asked about the short list and who would be able to review it - he didn't seem "perfectly happy" - in fact it seemed like he was having distinct second thoughts:
Reporter
"Are you closer to appointing a new Chief Justice?"
Hon. Dean Barrow
"We are very much close, in fact there is a short list that I want to propose for the consideration an advisory group that I would want to convene and I see certainly 4, possibly 5 of the candidates that have applied as being worthy of further consideration."
Jules Vasquez
"Will that constituent advisory group constitute membership from the bar association? The president said she was hoping you would write her indicating that you have an interest in having them onboard as you have said."
PM Dean Barrow
"Well, the Bar Association....a member of the bar heard that I was looking to take some holiday, said that I should. She thought I was being miserable because of what I said in the House that Friday. The Bar Association or the bar executive clearly is playing some games but let me reflect on that, the advisory group would have to comprise members of the bar. I do have some reservations because of what I said, (the members of the bar appearing) in front of one of whom there will have to appear, would be grilled by them...but the bar obviously feels strongly about it and maybe notwithstanding the drawbacks that is the way to go. So I will commit that I will certainly ask members of the bar to be part of this advisory group whether it is that I say to the president 'you select the persons and send them to me' or whether I say 'I would wish to invite the following of your members' is something that I have not yet decided."
