And the file that police gave her - as the DPP has plainly stated - contains "less than nothing." That description incensed the Prime Minister - who has publicly said on more than one occasion that he's, quote, "very disappointed with the way she expressed herself."
So how does she feel about him for perhaps crossing a line and throwing soft shade at an office which is constitutionally enshrined to maintain its independence? We asked her today:
Jules Vasquez
"The Prime Minister has said twice, various outlets, he is disappointed in you for your less than nothing statement. How do you feel about that?"
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, DPP
"Do you think, Jules, that you will get me to say something unfavourable about the Honourable Prime Minister?"
"I would not. Firstly, it would be very unprofessional of me. Secondly, even if it were not, I have the greatest respect for the Honourable John Briceno. Before he actually became Prime Minister, we've had several conversations about respect for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the independence of the DPP's office."
"And I am 100% confident that the Honourable Prime Minister would never interfere in the business of the DPP's office. The Honourable Prime Minister would never interfere with the work of the DPP's office."
"And that is all that I have to say in relation to that."
Jules Vasquez
"Isn't it, though, a kind of influence interference when one says, I'm disappointed in you?"
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, DPP
"I don't think it was an attempt to interfere, and certainly it would not have had that effect because we pursue our prosecutions without fear or favor."
"So at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter whether people are happy with us or unhappy with us once we are doing what we are meant to do and observing the ethics of the profession and the office that we are working in."
