"Scandalous"!!!
That's how the Jamaican-born controversial legal advisor to the Grenada Cabinet, Hugh Wildman has described the decision taken by local Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Christopher Nelson in the police spying incident against the main opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Police Constable 77 Kelon Noel was openly caught on February 26 secretly tape-recording an executive meeting of Congress at the party's head office on Lucas Street, St. George's.
The policeman was discovered hiding in an abandoned building next to the NDC office unknown to be NDC members when the flashing red light from the tape-recorder attracted those taking part in the meeting.
Nelson has advised the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) not to file charges against NDC executive members who have been accused of physically assaulting the policeman caught in the act of espionage.
"There is only one word I can use to describe that situation, scandalous. No well thinking person can agree with that position", said Wildman who is also believed to be an advisor for the police force.
"It is clear that persons committed a breach of the criminal law and in those circumstances one would have expected that the law would take its natural course and persons would be brought before the court", he added.
Wildman has hinted at the possibility of the ruling New National Party (NNP) government of Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell taking steps to reverse the DPP's decision.
DPP Nelson is now out of the country, but Wildman has suggested that the administration might challenge the decision in court."The government would have to deal with the matter but the officer here (Noel) is an aggrieved person and he also has remedy under the law. So the police officer will also have to pursue his remedy under the law", he said.
"I can't tell you now what the government's response will be but all I can tell you now is this is a matter the government would have to deal with in a serious way and I am quite sure it will be dealt with appropriately", he added.
Speculation is rife that civil lawsuits might be filed against those NDC members accused of manhandling the police officer.
The opposition party has itself threatened to file lawsuits against the State and Police Force for violating their constitutional right to freedom to assemble.
According to Wildman, there is absolutely no defence in law that the NDC members can offer with respect to the alleged beating of the police officer who he said was on lawful duty.
"In the criminal law there are certain circumstances upon which one can use force on another and nothing has been established based on the statement I have seen to warrant anyone using force on the officer", he remarked.
The NDC has denied assaulting the policeman who they said had been held while secretly taping an executive meeting of the party last month.
About ten NDC executive members were questioned by members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) including senior journalist attached to GRENADA TODAY, Wayne Modeste over the spying incident.
