Honourable Minister,

Re: Appointment of Attorney - General

The Agency for Rural Transformation Ltd. (ART) wishes to register its grave concern over government's reluctance to withdraw the recommendation of Mr. Hugh Wildman for the post of Attorney - General of Grenada.

Indeed, Sir, we wish to register our firm support for the position of the Grenada Bar Association that Mr. Hugh Wildman is an unsuitable candidate for the position of Attorney-General and that this recommendation should be withdrawn.

The Grenada Bar Association has articulated its opposition to the recommendation in a well documented dossier (along with supporting evidence), Grounds for Opposing Mr. Hugh Wildman's Appointment as Attorney General.

The Grenada Bar Association cites the following reasons for its opposition to the proposed appointment:

* Improper behaviour as counsel of Grenada while representing the Government of Grenada in the courts of Grenada.

* Improper behaviour as counsel in other courts

* Improper conduct as counsel

* Behaviour in public office

We are perplexed and concerned by government's seemingly flippant disregard to these issues raised in the dossier, as evidenced in your address to the nation on Friday, February 18th:

" After due deliberation and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances surrounding the matter, including the documentation and concerns presented by the Bar Association and Government's interest in enhancing the administration of justice, the Government saw no compelling reason or reasons to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Hugh Wildman for the public office of Attorney-General".

Permit us to differ, Sir, and to respectfully submit that the $17 million dollar Judgement handed down by the Privy Council against the State of Grenada in favour of Dipcon is more than compelling evidence. This one example will suffice.

It is our understanding that the role of Attorney-General is to be the principal legal advisor to the Government and to represent the public interest in legal matters. Mr. Wildman failed on both counts when, as Special Advisor to the government, he refused to appear before Justice Brian Alleyne who was hearing the application by government to set aside the default judgement obtained by Dipcon against the State.

His conduct in this matter now costs the State $17 million dollars plus interest and legal costs - an additional debt burden to be added to our one billion dollar public debt. The Privy Council (the highest court) commenting on Mr. Wildman's conduct noted:

* "an attorney is not minded to appear before a particular court before which he or she has business ...... comes close to a discourtesy to the Court.

* "In truth the government was playing fast and loose with the Court and its procedures".

We are at a loss to understand, Sir, how in the light of this $17 million judgement plus interest and legal cost, to be borne by the people of Grenada, you could (in apparent good faith) still declare to the nation in your address on Friday, February 18th "...... government's own sincere belief that Mr. Wildman is a well qualified and competent person to serve in the post of Attorney- General........"

Perhaps, Sir, you will forgive us for wondering out loud whether, in this issue, our representatives in government have taken leave of their good senses. Our organisation works with and on behalf of the most vulnerable in society.

When the administration of justice is brought into disrepute - (as it has been by Mr. Wildman - note the Privy Council's comments that government was playing fast and loose with the Court and its procedures) - the entire country suffers but, this is the sector which suffers most.

The evidence that Mr. Wildman is an unsuitable candidate for the post of Attorney General is overwhelming damning. It would be irresponsible of the government to continue to propose Mr. Wildman for the position of Attorney-General.

Through you Sir, we urge the government to reconsider its categoric position on this unsuitable recommendation and to withdraw the recommendation.

Yours respectfully,

Sandra Feguson
Secretary - General