‘Abuse’ of power

THE DECISION of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Charles Leacock, QC, to discontinue proceedings against a Canadian couple who had been charged with stealing millions from their investment clients, as well as money laundering, has led to unprecedented action in the local law courts.

Two other Canadians who are now resident in Barbados have accused the DPP of abuse of his constitutional power and want the Supreme Court to review his decision, declare that it was wrong in law and quash it, as well as reinstate the eight charges against Barry and Barbara Dueck.

Attorney Robert Richardson, of Royal Westmoreland in St James, and Jean Delangis, of St Peter’s Bay in St Peter, have retained local attorney Satcha Kissoon to pursue legal action against the DPP. On Thursday Kissoon filed several documents with the Registrar of the Supreme Court to initiate the process.

The historic case stems from the decision of the District “E” magistrate at Holetown to dismiss charges against the Duecks on September 30 this year, after the prosecutor said he had been instructed in writing by the DPP’s Office to discontinue proceedings. (RRM)

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