By Onika James Thursday, September 17 2009

There is yet to be any official statement or release on who will act as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Up to late last evening no one could confirm if the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) will announce who would replace outgoing Acting DPP Carla Brown-Antoine. Brown-Antoine will be sworn in as a High Court judge today at 9.30 am at President’s House, St Ann’s.

Many expect Deputy DPP Roger Gaspard to be given the green light today to act in the post. Yesterday afternoon, state attorneys held an emergency meeting to discuss the legal ramifications should someone not be appointed to act as DPP. According to a source, “State attorneys are bewildered. They discussed whether or not they have the authority to operate. All legal officers stand in the shoes of the DPP, but if there is no one, in whose shoes are the state attorneys to fill. They have decided to adopt a wait-and-see attitude to the situation.”

On Tuesday afternoon the JLSC in a letter to prosecutor Wayne Rajbansie, who had applied for the substantive post of DPP wrote, advised him it intended to re-advertise the position.

Commenting on the issue yesterday, senior counsel Israel Khan said, “I expect Roger Gaspard to be appointed as acting DPP. Even if he does not receive an official letter he could act in the position. He is a Deputy DPP. I do not foresee a glitch in the administration of justice in relation to the DPP. I am sure attorneys will be able to do cases. I do not foresee any problems at all.”

Brown-Antoine and Gaspard’s nominations for the substantive post were vetoed by Prime Minister Patrick Manning.