The Full Court this morning disagreed with APNU when it ruled that it has no jurisdiction to hear an appeal on whether that party's leader who is also Opposition Leader should be party to the State’s case on whether the opposition can cut the National Budget.
Accompanied by Justice Rishi Persaud, Justice James Bovell-Drakes read the estimated five-minute long ruling that in effect states that the Full Court is “without jurisdiction to hear the appeal.” He said the appeal filed by Basil Williams to the Full Court was “misconceived” and could not be entertained.
Williams challenged the Chief Justice Ian Chang's decision to dismiss the Opposition Leader, as well as Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on the grounds that as Members of Parliament (MPs), the constitution provides them with immunity, from the case in which the opposition's cuts to the 2012 budget is being challenged.
sources