Stuart: Barbados Needs Full-time AG

Having a part-time Attorney General for two months does not make sense, Barbados’ acting Prime Minister Freundel Stuart has stated.He was answering queries from the media concerning the recent appointment of Government back-bencher Adriel Brathwaite as  Attorney General. His comments were made at the close of the CARICOM Heads of Government conference at the Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay.Stuart said, “On previous occasions, when I have acted as Prime Minister, the responsibilities for the office of the Attorney General had been assigned to the Minister of Housing and Lands, Michael Lashley. “He is substantively an officer of the Crown, so all that had to happen constitutionally is that the responsibilities, [which were] formally mine, were assigned to him.” The acting Prime Minister continued: “In times past, when Mr Lashley has acted, it was because the Prime Minister was going to be away for short periods and I would have been acting in that capacity for short periods. “The issue of Barbados having a part-time Attorney General for two full months, does not make sense. It certainly does not accord with the priority the Government has set itself.” Stuart added: “We thought that we would allow Mr Lashley to fully devote himself to the issues with which he is dealing and with programmes that are critical to both the success and the face of the Government – that is the housing programme. Therefore, it was thought wise that we appoint an Attorney-General who could give full attention to the requirements of that office; because, quite frankly, it is a very difficult office. “Practically everything that happens in Barbados passes across the desk of the Attorney General, and, therefore, the idea of having a part-time AG, for two months, certainly does not make sense.” The acting appointments have been made as a result of Prime Minister David Thompson’s taking of  two months leave because of ill health. (BGIS)