Archie flies out

Chief Justice Ivor Archie left the country yesterday and during his time away, Justice Peter Jamadar will act as head of the Judiciary. A statement from the Judiciary said Archie will be out of the country until January 5. It did not say where he had gone. Archie absence occurs as the Prime Minister is due to consider a report on allegations of misconduct complied and submitted to him by the Law Association. The association wants Dr Rowley to consider appointing a tribunal to investigate the allegations in accordance of section 137 of the Constitution.

The Law Association submitted the report by letter dated December 13 as well as documents to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Last Saturday, during a children's Christmas party in Diego Martin, Rowley said he had no comment to make on the controversial issue at this time.

“I have no comment to make on that issue,” he told reporters. “When I have a comment to make, I will let you know. As soon as I have something to say on that issue I will let you know.”

Former chief justice Michael De La Bastide and other legal experts have said the Prime Minister has grounds to act on the report on the basis of the doctrine of necessity.

The report contained the opinion of along with two eminent legal voices, Eamon Courtenay SC and Dr Francis Alexis QC, both of whom were retained by the association to advise on whether there were sufficient grounds to petition Rowley to initiate impeachment proceedings against the CJ.

The allegations centre around claims Archie recommended people for Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing; that he discussed the judiciary’s security needs with his friend–convicted fraudster Dillian Johnson, “in terms which suggest that the Chief Justice was informing him of opportunities which might be available and of interest to Johnson;” that the Chief Justice had developed close personal relationships with people engaged in criminal activities; and that the Chief Justice recommended certain people for HDC housing and urged HDC officials to fast-track their applications; as well as unilaterally discontinuing security arrangements for a judge.