BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 15TH 2010 (CUOPM) – Prominent Caribbean lawyer, Mr. Anthony Astaphan has describes as “outrageous” and “dishonest” allegations by Political Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), Mr. Lindsay Grant that members of the public relations arm of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis had advanced knowledge of an Eastern Caribbean Appeal Court ruling before it was delivered from the bench on Monday.
“This is the most scandalous and outrageous statement any lawyer can make. It is dishonest,” said Astaphan ahead of a press conference planned for 11 am Wednesday. It will be carried live on ZIZ Radio and TV and Sugar City Rock.
In an interview on Sugar City Rock “Journeys” early Wednesday, Senior Counsel Astaphan said the legal team will also be dealing with Monday’s Eastern Caribbean Appeal Court ruling which overturned a high court decision which found former Attorney General, Dr. Dennis Merchant in Contempt of Court. The Appeal Court also ruled that the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis had not breached an Injunction Order issued by High Court Judge His Lordship Mr. Justice Francis Belle.
“We will also deal with a press release from Mr. Eugene Hamilton declaring victory because the Appeal Court awarded costs against Cedric Liburd and the Prime Minister which is totally false. The press release is completely misleading and I will explain that as well. I will explain to the question of cost which was not awarded either for us or for them,” said Astaphan.
He also disclosed that the legal team will also seek to clarify several issues.
“What is happening throughout these islands is that the opposition parties; it is almost a conspiracy of dishonesty and deception. They go to the media and throw out these things and 99 percent of the time the media people do not understand what the facts are and allow these outrageous and misleading statements to be made,” said Astaphan.
He said the onus always on the government or the government counsel or the government’s public relations representatives to seek to put the record straight.
