Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore is standing behind a statement made recently, in which he opposed the granting of bail to double murder accused Johnathan Lehrer.
The Dominica Bar Association criticized Mr. Blackmoore’s position on the matter, and this week the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations questioned Mr. Blackmores position.
In response Mr. Blackmoore says he has in the past and does not intend to going forward to be engaged in a back and forth with the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations and the Dominica Bar Association.
However, he says he feels obliged to respond to the latest reaction by the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations.
Mr. Blackmoore says it is highly baffling to the reasonable person that the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations by its own admission is saying individuals including Ministers have the right to respectfully disagree with the decisions of the court, but in the very same statement is at odds with him for doing precisely the very same thing.
He says this is indeed very unfortunate and the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations ought not to be issuing such a frivolous statement in response to a legitimate statement which he has made.
He adds that his statement was legitimate, and in keeping to preserve national security and public interest he therefore respectfully submits to the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations to stay within the demarcations of its lane.
Mr. Blackmoore says he strongly believes that there are several other very profound matters of national security and public interest that Organizations in the Caribbean should make statement, instead of the very loud silence on those other matters.