Llewellyn says she will continue as DPP for two more years

By Clinton McGregor    

 

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn today dismissed her critics and insisted that she will continue in the post as the country's chief prosecutor.

 

Ms. Llewellyn's extension of tenure has been steeped in controversy after amendments were made to the Constitution to increase the retirement age for the DPP and Auditor General.

 

The amendments were passed in July, without support from the parliamentary opposition.

 

The 63-year-old DPP, who has the option of continuing in the post for another seven years, today declared that she will only continue in the post for two more years.

 

"The law has been changed, and having consulted my family and my very close friends, I have elected to stay on for another two years to continue to serve," she disclosed on TVJ's Smile Jamaica.

 

Ms. Llewellyn defended her achievements as a public servant, noting that she has always tried to not be distracted by what she calls "static". 

 

"Sometimes I make very difficult decisions about some very high profile matters. But it's done according to law and one's experience. And I have a wonderful set of people that I have been privileged to have worked with over the years - crown counsel, prosecutors. I've been privileged to have prosecuted some very notorious persons. I've prosecuted against some great lawyers. I have appeared before some great judges. And at the end of the day, it's always about the service," she declared.   

 

The opposition has filed a lawsuit in the civil division of the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the extension of the retirement age of the DPP and Auditor General.