The Keith Mitchell-led Government is once again made to dig deeper into the coffers of the National Treasury to pay $25, 000 to Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas in costs over a high court matter.

High Court Judge Justice Davidson Baptiste last week awarded costs in the sum of $25,000.00 to Thomas following his ruling in favour of the Opposition leader earlier this month in a case in which he was seeking representation in the Commission of Enquiry into allegations of impropriety against Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell.

Thomas sought judicial review after sole Commissioner, Dr Richard Cheltenham of Barbados denied him permission to cross-examine witnesses in the Enquiry in June, 2005. The Opposition Leader was seeking an order to squash the decision of the Commissioner.

The Judge endorsed submissions that Dr Cheltenham misapplied and misinterpreted section 18 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, denying the opposition leader intervenor status. The matter is now remitted to the Commissioner to decide whether leave should be granted to Thomas to be represented at the Enquiry.

Legal representative for Mr Thomas, Ruggles Ferguson, said that it is his client's legal right to participate in the Enquiry. Ferguson is curious as to why the matter had to go so far and whose money will be used to pay the Opposition Leader.

Commissioner Cheltenham is looking into allegations that Prime Minister Mitchell accepted a bribe of $US500, 000.00 from international fraudster, Eric Resteiner in exchange for a diplomatic appointment.

The Grenadian leader has consistently denied the accusation, saying that he received “approximately US$15, 000 from Resteiner to help cover the cost of a trip to several European States and Kuwait.