NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young says he has never suggested that the judiciary is not independent.
He issued a release on Tuesday to respond to a statement by Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) who quoted him as saying that the judiciary should help in fighting crime.
Young said, “At absolutely no point in time have I ever suggested that the Judiciary is not independent nor have I ever politicised or attempted to politicise the Judiciary, to suggest otherwise is simply mischievous and wholly inaccurate.
“I am of the opinion that we all have a role to play in the fight against crime and this must include the judiciary. The judiciary is not above commentary and is certainly not constitutionally protected from fair comment. To suggest otherwise is very dangerous and wrong.
“In any event, I believe that the WINAD statement is misguided and misses the point in an attempt to stifle legitimate and permissible commentary.”
He reinterated: “I am of the strong view that everyone has a role to play in the fight against crime and criminality and that includes members of the judiciary. I add that it is important that all law abiding citizens understand the level of crime and type of criminality that exists in our midst and we should all do what we can to make Trinidad and Tobago a safer place.”
