Felix, Scott back in Parliament

Last Updated on Friday, 26 February 2016, 10:26 by

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Attorney General Basil Williams

Ministers of Government and Technocrat Members of Parliament Winston Felix and Keith Scott are now clear to return to the National Assembly after the Chancellor of the Judiciary ruled in favor of the state at a hearing on Friday morning.

Both Scott and Felix were banned from Parliament based on a ruling by Former Chief Justice Ian Chang. The CJ recently ruled that Scott and Felix’s presence as members of the House were unconstitutional on the basis that Technocrat Members of the House cannot be pulled from a Party’s list of representatives.

Attorney General Basil Williams appealed that ruling on Friday which saw Chancellor Carl Singh granting a stay of execution on the ruling by the Chief Justice.

Shortly after leaving the Court of Appeal on Friday Williams told reporters that he made an application for an interim stay pending the determination of the application for stay.

“The interim stay has been granted. It means the two ministers can attend parliament today until the application for stay is heard fully,” Williams declared.

Meanwhile, Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall was visibly upset with the ruling by the Chancellor declaring that he found the entire situation strange. he stated that he was not served with a copy of the Ex Parte application.

“I got wind of it and I wrote to the court and I requested an opportunity to be present. I was served this morning while the court case is ongoing…I find that very strange. Stays of Execution are not granted Ex Parte without hearing the other side…they have not heard me.” he stated.

The Opposition MP also indicated that the orders which are granted by the Chief Justice are all declaration and cannot be stayed.

“What are you staying? You don’t stay a declaration: they are not orders that are coercive… they are declaring a state of affairs,” he said.

Williams later explained that he never served him because the matter is “sufficiently urgent there being parliament today. He had written a letter that was not served on me. He wanted to be heard so he was heard.” (Jomo Brusheildon Paul)