Champagnie supports extension of DPP's tenure

By Kimone Witter  

 

King's Counsel Peter Champagnie has given support to the decision to increase the age of retirement for the Director of Public Prosecutions from 60 to 65 years.

 

Mr. Champagnie said it is unfortunate that there has been opposition to the move to amend the Constitution to facilitate the extension of the DPP's tenure.

 

He believes the squabble is rooted in politics. 

 

"Jamaica is one of the very few countries, and may in fact be the only country in the region that the age of retirement is 60 years for the DPP. Personally speaking, it is regrettable that those detractors of our current DPP have never encountered her or her prosecutors in the adversarial arena. Herself, as well as the prosecutors under her leadership, have been outstanding," he argued.

 

"I suppose that this is a case where a king is never really honoured in his own country. I would endorse, and I think that Ms. Llewellyn is an outstanding public servant, and her contribution to Jamaica has been immense. It should not be marred in sheer politics," the defence attorney asserted. 

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding on Tuesday objected to tabling of The Constitution (Amendment of Sections 96(1) and 121(1)) Act, 2023, by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, arguing that he was never consulted.

 

But Mr. Chuck said the move was necessary as the constitutionally established ceiling for the age of retirement for the Auditor General and the Director of Public Prosecutions is five years shorter when compared with the upper limit for a public officer in the civil service.

 

He said he would be disappointed if DPP Paula Llewellyn decides not to continue in the role after her current tenure ends in September.