In the entire flap about the artificiality or non artificiality of
our border – one thing that was apparent – is that Wilfred Elrington
is not a contrite man – not when he feels he’s right. The Prime
Minister Dean Barrow and the Party Whip Michael Finnegan urged him to apologize
and move on – whether he was right or wrong. But he didn’t; his
choice and as the PM said, he’s his own man. But that’s what makes
today’s apology at the ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court even more
remarkable. It is a quite stunning reversal considering that last year he referred
to the delay in judgements as “unacceptable” and told judges they
needed to be more “dedicated” and “diligent.” But this
year he says it was due to his inexperience. For context we’ll replay
what he said last year and what he said this morning.
[January 19th, 2009]
Hon. Wilfred Sedi Elrington, Attorney General
“I personally find it unacceptable that in fact we are experiencing
these inordinate delays in the giving of judgements in cases. I find it unacceptable
that almost every single case the judges have to reserve judgement. I see no
reason because many of the cases are not complicated, they are simple cases
and I can say that because I have personal experience on the bench. So I think
that the judges need to look more inwards; they got to be much more diligent,
more dedicated.”
[Today]
Hon. Wilfred Sedi Elrington,
“My Lord I have been aware that there have been persons present in
last year’s opening ceremony who took offense to some things I said in
that presentation and I wish on this occasion to express my deepest regret that
I was the cause of anyone on that occasion. That was never my intention and
I humbly beg that any unhappy remark I made be attributed solely to inadvertence,
ignorance, and perhaps inexperience.”
[January 19th, 2009]
“The members of our judiciary are the very best paid public officers
in the land. They all receive more pay than members of the Cabinet, including
myself. They all have the most modern means of transportations, they have 24
hours it seems police guard, and other perks. They are the very best paid public
officers in the land.
When I hear ordinary people who sometimes die before judgements are given
in relatively simple cases, complaints about this intolerable state of affairs
I can empathize with them because not too long ago that was not the case in
Belize; that was not the case in Belize and I still believe that it is possible
for many more cases to be disposed of in our courts, civil cases, during the
course of a day.”
[Today]
Hon. Wilfred Sedi Elrington,
“I have the greatest respect for the Magistracy. I have the greatest
respect for the Supreme Court and I know of the tireless work they put into
the job. I am aware of that.”
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