Young won’t apologise

MINISTER in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young says he has “nothing further to add,” regarding his statement about lawyers who are facilitating criminal gangs. Young made the statement in the House of Representatives last Friday when he opened debate on a motion to approve Senate amendments to the Anti Gang Amendment Bill 2018.

He was acting Attorney General at that time. His comments drew criticism from seven senior members of the criminal bar. These included Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Osbourne Charles, Israel Khan, Pamela Elder, Gilbert Peterson, Ernest H Koylass and Sophia K Chote, the latter also being an Independent Senator. They all called on him to apologise to criminal lawyers.

In response to a statement issued by these attorneys, Young said, “I made a very clear, accurate and precise statement in my contribution.” In his contribution, Young said attorneys have, “been participating in illegal communications with their clients.”

He added it appears lawyers are assisting their clients in running criminal empires.

Gang leaders who are currently imprisoned, “may be assisted by certain members of the bar and in particular, at the criminal bar in continuing the conduct of what got them incarcerated in the first place.” Young said the police are already aware of this. He hoped that one day, these people will be, “marching to court in their handcuffs.”

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