Former chief justice Michael De La Bastide believes that Chief Justice Ivor Archie needs to “clear the air” on allegations made against him and while he said he will not “presume” to give the sitting CJ advice, he believes that in the face of “allegations made either expressly or by implication against him he should respond.”
De La Bastide said the situation “is all very unfortunate.” But he declined comment on the allegations saying “any comment will be premature before the CJ is given the opportunity to respond to what has been published.”
The retired chief justice said suggestions of “impeachment and resignation at this time are premature.”
He said the CJ “has been out of the country and he has not had a chance to respond.” It was “unfortunate,” he said that the CJ has been the subject of “trial by the media,” but he said “I suppose that is one of the burdens the holder of high office has to carry.”
Former chief justice Sat Sharma declined comment on the matter.
Archie is expected to return to the country today amidst growing calls for him to explain and respond to allegations relating to association with someone with a criminal record in Guyana and allegations relating to solicitation to obtain alternative security arrangements for judges of the High Court from a private security company.
Senior Counsel Israel Khan said he agreed that Archie, like anyone else, “has the right to be heard first.” He said the country had only heard “one side of the story and every person has the right to be heard.”