But one attorney we did get to speak to earlier in the day is Attorney General Anthony Sylvester. He represents the sole office named in the suit, but he was represented by Eamon Courtney and his junior counsel, Godfrey Smith and his junior. We also saw the Assistant Solicitor General, Samantha Matute and the former Attorney General Senior counsel Magali Marin Young in the wings.
Now, these senior counsels come at a premium price - but, it's taxpayers paying this bill and we asked the AG is this is a judicious use of public funds:
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, should the public take an adverse view of the fact that you are here today, but in fact the Attorney General for the government is represented by two very expensive senior counsels and another attorney as well, most likely. How should the public interpret that?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
"No, OK. So it's a valid concern, a valid observation. We have a cadre of excellent brilliant crown counsel. But as occurs with this matter, you're faced with a very urgent matter, a matter which requires an attorney with a certain special skill and expertise."
"And, regrettably, unfortunately, that's the nature of the matters. And so you have to engage those attorneys."
Jules Vasquez
"Are our public funds being judiciously spent in defense of an indefensible position that you're going to vote without completely malapportion voters list?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
"I would not say, as you have characterized it, and as you generally do, Jules, you articulate with a spell-bonded effect. One might be persuaded, to seduce the accept it. But no, I don't necessarily agree with you."
"And as I indicated earlier, we don't want to prejudge whatever determination that has to be made by the court. But certainly, I really concede that that is a valid concern. But as I indicated, it is something in the normal course of things that government has to do."
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