The Public Service Commission (PSC) in Grenada has overlooked former Grenada diplomat, Janice Celestine for the post of Acting Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that Celestine's name came up for the acting position during a meeting of the commission in order to stand-in for officer holder, Elizabeth Greenidge-Henry but it was shot down by an influential member on the body.

According to a well-placed official, the member told the gathering that Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell will not agree to Celestine holding such a post under the ruling New National Party (NNP) administration. "What was said is that the P.M is insisting that Janice (Celestine) would have to apologise to him personally before she can get any such post", he remarked.

The source could not shed any light on why the Grenadian leader was insisting on an apology from Celestine who served as Grenada's Consul to New York from 1995 until 2005 when she was brought back home.

Prime Minister Mitchell moved against Celestine after accusing her male companion of working for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2003 general elections.

After she returned home, Celestine accepted a post with the government-run Agency for Rural Development (ARD), headed by Richardson Andrew, a close aide of the Prime Minister. She accepted but was "removed" illegally by Andrews after only a few weeks on the job.

Celestine took the matter to court on the grounds that the ARD chief had breached her contract. The high court ruled in favour of the senior civil servant in light of the failure of ARD to put in a defense. Lawyers for Celestine are currently working out the financial package which the Andrews-led outfit is expected to pay her as compensation.

The source pointed out that Celestine's name came up for consideration for the acting position in the Office of the Prime Minister due to the fact that Greenidge-Henry was proceeding on holiday leave. He said the proposal did not reach far although the former diplomat was considered as one of the most suitable candidates for the position given the quality of persons left in the service.

"That was as far as that could go (the Celestine nomination). Once it was said that it did not have the blessings of the Big Man (P.M Mitchell) that was the end of it", he remarked. The other person listed as a front-runner for the post was Barbara Charles, a civil servant with over 25 years of service but very little experience at that level.

Last year, Celestine was overlooked for a scholarship offered by the Government of India although she was the only person who applied for the position.