Shadow justice minister Senator Donna Scott Mottley says the Opposition is awaiting the written reasons for the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which determined that the Constitutional Court had erred in declaring the second extension of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn’s tenure unconstitutional.

In her reaction to the decision on Friday (December 20), Mottley emphasised that once the Opposition has reviewed the written reasons, it will decide on the next steps.

Mottley reiterated two primary concerns that had motivated the Opposition to challenge the legislation in court.

Firstly, she criticised the Government for enacting constitutional legislation without consulting the Opposition, particularly regarding an office as sensitive as that of the DPP.

The opposition senator further contended that the rushed manner in which the legislation was passed through Parliament, without proper review or debate, was a misuse of power detrimental to good governance in a constitutional democracy.

“While we of course respect the Court of Appeal’s decision, we take this opportunity to reiterate two of the fundamental concerns that led us to challenge that legislation in court. The Government’s enactment of constitutional legislation without any consultation with the Opposition on a matter concerning a particularly sensitive office, coupled with the unprecedented haste to pass it through Parliament without proper review or any prepared debate, amounted to a pernicious abuse of power, inimical to good governance in a constitutional democracy.

Mottley reaffirmed the Opposition’s commitment to democratic principles and stated that they would continue to defend Jamaica’s constitution and its people whenever they believe they are at risk due to the abuse of political power.

• READ: Llewellyn to resume DPP tenure after Gov’t wins appeal