And while Parke has returned to Florida under a cloud, now, one of the Prime Minister's ardent supporters is about to ascend to the Supreme Court bench. Former UDP candidate and current chair of the Integrity Commission Marilyn Williams is expected to be sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court tin January. Today the PM said he agrees with the choice - but he didn't make it:
Jules Vasquez - Reporter
"The ascension of Marilyn Williams, we are told she will be named to the Supreme Court. We know she is a quite ardent supporter of yourself and of your administration and a former candidate."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"But please, let us be very clear as to how her appointment came about. In terms of the judges of the Court of Appeal, I am the decider, I am the decision maker. In terms of justices of the Supreme Court, I am not and in this case, it was the Judicial and Legal Services Commission that saw the need for two additional judges. As I understand it, by the time it got to me and as I saw the history, the JLSC chaired by the Chief Justice, advertised the vacancies, not just in Belize, apparently, perhaps, Caribbean wide. They received applications, they sat and went through those applications, came up with a short list, interviewed those that were on the shortlist and thereafter they came to their choice. This does not originate with me this was not initiated by me. And so, the question of Marilyn's political activities, or certainly, her political candidacy, long ago and far away, I don't know if that was a consideration in terms of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission but if it was, clearly they are convinced that that will not interfere with her ability to deliver justice."
Jules Vasquez
"Who will take over the chairmanship of the Integrity Commission?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow
"Well, I haven't looked at that yet."
Jules Vasquez
"But she will ascend shortly and we don't want there to be a..."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow
"There should not be any long hiatus but..."
Jules Vasquez
"The last one was about five years."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow
"Well, you can be assured it will not be as long as that sir."
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