Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Hylton

Solicitor General Michael Hylton has tendered his resignation, effective October 31.

Mr. Hylton, Q.C., told The Gleaner yesterday that he was going into private practice.

He said when he took up the job in January 2001 he had agreed to stay for five years and it was now almost seven years. He said his recent withdrawal as a candidate for Chief Justice had nothing to do with his resignation.

In April, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller proposed Mr. Hylton to be Jamaica's new Chief Justice.

He should have taken over from Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe, who retired last month.

Withdrawing his name

However, Mr. Hylton sent a letter to the Prime Minister in May withdrawing his name from the list of candidates for the position.

He said afterwards that he withdrew because the Opposition was not in support of his candidacy.

Opposition Leader Bruce Golding said afterwards that he did not oppose Mr. Hylton's candidacy. He said he requested a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the issue and, while waiting to hear from the Prime Minister for a date for the meeting, Mr. Hylton withdrew.

Justice Zaila McCalla was subsequently proposed and appointed Chief Justice. She was sworn in on June 26.

Mr. Hylton was a partner in the law firm Myers, Fletcher andGordon when he was appointed Solicitor General.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com