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(UPDATED) Gov. George Ferguson reiterated his support for the Attorney General after lawyers walked out of today’s (Jan. 23) special Supreme Court session Rory Field.
Earlier this month, the Governor announced that Mr. Field had been reappointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to a term that would be extended until the end of 2016. Mr. Field, who is not a Bermudian, officially took up the position in 2007 and has held the position for more than seven years.
Following his reappointment, a Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “Having expressed the desire to appoint a Bermuda DPP in 2007, 2010 and 2013, it is with great regret that the process adopted by the Governor-General’s Office appears to have been unable to translate those desires into reality.
The Cabinet Office confirmed that the prime minister had “strongly expressed” his concerns to the governor-general and would raise the matter again with the UK minister responsible for the overseas territories.
Shadow Attorney General Michael Scott also lodged an objection, saying: “The reappointment of Rory Field is not only an insult to the qualified, capable Bermudians who have been overlooked, but an insult to all those who believe that Bermudians should be put first in this country when it comes to jobs and opportunities.
Mr Scott added: “The Labour Party’s position is clear. There has been a lack of openness, accountability and transparency in the process and the Governor must explain why qualified Bermudians have been denied the opportunity to hold this position.”
In response to today’s Supreme Court action, Governor George Ferguson said: “I strongly support Attorney General Rory Fields to continue in this position for another two years. He and his department’s able team have achieved and will continue to achieve impressive results.
“As he stated at the Special Court meeting today, the department’s record is excellent domestically and well respected internationally, and under his leadership Bermudians throughout the department have steadily risen through the ranks in terms of their qualifications. I wish him and his team the best.”
renew: Photo of lawyers outside the court after the trial ended today
renew: Justin Williams, president of the Bermuda Bar Association, said: “While some have suggested this was a walk-off, I am not sure that is correct as one of Mr Field’s fiercest critics, MP Michael Scott, stayed to hear the DPP’s presentation on developments in the department in 2014. Lawyers who do not address the court are free to leave the court at any time.”
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