A referendum should be the tool used to decide whether this country should abolish the Privy Council as its final court if appeal, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has said.

In a news release yesterday, the former Prime Minister touted the referendum as being a means by which ’the people’ can decide if they want the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to replace the Privy Council.

’Replacing the Privy Council with the CCJ is dependent on the confidence of the people, but I want the Prime Minister (Patrick Manning) to justify to this nation if and why we should get rid of the Privy Council,’ Panday said.

He went on to take issue with CCJ Judge David Hayton, whom he said recently demonstrated clear political bias by commenting that he (Hayton) did not see this country taking the CCJ until the Opposition Leader ceases to be leader and that the CCJ would probably never replace the Privy Council, given the political landscape.

Hayton’s statements have tainted the CCJ, Panday said, adding that Hayton continues to preside over domestic matters, hence the need to take the facts to the people so that they may understand what is happening in the judiciary in this country. 

He further stated that Hayton’s comments causes speculation as to whether a UNC politician or sympathiser can expect justice under the CCJ.

’How can we trust the CCJ?’ Panday asked.

’The nation has lost confidence because of government’s interference and attempts to manipulate the system for their own political objectives.

’It is not enough for the Prime Minister to say we should replace the Privy Council with a local equivalent. We need to be sure that the final court of appeal is independent and free from political influence. Given Hayton’s comments it is clear that the CCJ is neither independent nor free from political influence.’