Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas has been granted leave by the High Court to apply for Judicial Review of the decision by the sole commissioner, Dr. Richard Cheltenham in the commission of inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell.

Thomas made application on the grounds that in rendering his decision, the Commissioner misinterpreted and misapplied Section 18 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, and that in rendering his decision, the Commissioner committed an error of law apparent on the face of the record.

It was also noted in the application that in rendering his decision, the Commissioner fettered or did not exercise his undoubted jurisdiction by failing to take into account relevant matters that he was required to take into account and that the Commissioner's decision was unreasonable and irrational.

The application for leave which was filed on June 28, was heard one month later on July 29 before High Court Judge Justice Francis Bell. Submissions for the Leader of the Opposition were made by Attorney-at-Law Ruggles Ferguson of Ciboney Chambers

The Judge has ordered that the claim for judicial review be filed within 14 days and has set the hearing of the application for September 20. The Opposition Leader is seeking a declaration from the High Court for an order quashing the June 14, 2005 decision of Dr. Cheltenham in which he refused to grant intervenor status/ standing of Thomas to enable his full participation in the Inquiry, including the opportunity to examine and cross-examine witnesses.

A date is still to be announced for resumption of hearings into the inquiry in which Prime Minister Mitchell is accused of accepting a bribe of $US500, 000.00 in June 2000 in Switzerland from American-born German fraudster, Eric Resteiner for a diplomatic appointment.

The Grenadian leader has denied the charge, claiming that he received "approximately US$15, 000 from Resteiner to cover the expenses of a trip to several European States and Kuwait.