Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been barred by a Supreme Court order from making recommendations to fill the vacancies in the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Last week Thursday, the members of the PSC were fired on the grounds of misbehaviour.

Justice Donald McIntosh granted the order yesterday after he heard an application brought by lawyers representing Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller.

An application for judicial review is to be heard on December 28 and both parties are to be present at that hearing.

Last week Thursday, Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall, acting on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, fired the members of the PSC. The Prime Minister recommended their dismissal on the grounds of misbehaviour.

The dismissal of the PSC members came a day after Mrs. Simpson MiIler got an injunction from the Supreme Court to bar the Prime Minister from recommending the dismissal of the PSC members.

Injunction against PM

Justice McIntosh, in granting the injunction, ordered that the Prime Minister not fill the vacancies until the application is heard on December 28. He also ordered that the defendants, who are the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General, must be served with all relevant documents by tomorrow.

The Opposition Leader, her agents or her representatives have been barred by the judge from airing the proceedings in the media prior to the inter partes hearing on December 28. The application was made by K.D. Knight, Q.C., and attorney-at-law Bert Samuels, instructed by attorney-at-law Linton Walters.

The recently dismissed members of the PSC and the Government had been at odds since October when the PSC recommended that Professor Stephen Vasciannie be appointed the new Solicitor General. The Government is reportedly in favour of former Deputy Solicitor General Douglas Leys for the job.

Deputy Solicitor General Patrick Foster, Q.C., is acting as Solicitor General.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com