Congress of the People (COP) political leader, Winston Dookeran, says Prime Minister Patrick Manning is treating the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and the issue of the death penalty in a flippant manner.

’I think the Prime Minister is being very flippant about a major issue that can only be determined by a country-wide referendum,’ Dookeran yesterday.

He said that the people had lost trust in the country’s institutions for justice and to tinker with the Privy Council would elevate this feeling, unless that trust is restored and they feel confident that justice can be impartially discharged.

His comment came in the wake of another appeal by Prime Minister Prime Manning for the CCJ to be made this country’s highest court.

’This is not a matter that should be dealt with flippantly and the people should be called to adjudicate on this matter in a proper manner,’ he said.

Independent Senator Dana Seetahal meanwhile told the Express that while she supports the establishment of the CCJ as the final appellate court in the country, she has a problem with the Prime Minister using the argument of the death penalty as an incentive to this move.

Manning, at a PNM public meeting on Monday night, said it was time to move away from the Privy Council, as it did not reflect the views of the people of this country. He said the Privy Council tries its best to see that the death penalty is not implemented.

Seetahal said Manning’s statement was not new. She said this was the argument touted for the last eight years as to why the Privy Council should be abolished as this country’s final court of appeal.

’I would really have a serious problem if we were just repealing the Privy Council, if it is just because the Privy Council is anti death penalty,’ Seetahal said.