A court has dismissed the legal challenge against Anthony Smith Jr.’s status as an independent Member of Parliament for All Saints West.
The challenge, brought forward by three constituents, also resulted in the plaintiffs being ordered to pay $1,500 in legal costs.
The lawsuit was initiated following Smith’s departure from the United Progressive Party (UPP) in July.
The plaintiffs argued that Smith’s resignation from the UPP and his subsequent acceptance of a Cabinet role invalidated his independence as an MP.
They sought to challenge his status and raise questions about his legitimacy as a representative of the constituency.
The constitutional matter filed before the High Court contained several flaws leading to its dismissal today.
Smith has yet to publicly comment on the outcome of the case.
However, the decision solidifies his role in the Parliament as an independent MP, a position he assumed after leaving the UPP.
We will have more details on the reasons for the ruling.
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Big up JUSTIN SIMON 🤣 🤣 😆 🤣 😂 😹
Congrats to UPP for another court victory.
Useless. Pappyshow. Party = UPP
Anyone who has even casually read the Antigua and Barbuda Constitutional Order knew that this would have been the outcome. The case lacked any merit whatsoever. The Constitution clearly makes provision for any member to resign from their elected whip but remain in the Parliament, as long as that member does not cross the floor. Hon. Anthony Smith never crossed the floor.
Further, the Constitution gives the Prime Minister the right to appoint ministers and those ministers can come from even within the Opposition benches, again, as long as they do not cross the floor.
These kinds of frivolous challenges that waste the Court’s time should come with serious rebuke to the lawyers who should know better. It’s time to start disbarring these lawyers who take advantage of vulnerable and gullible people.
I can’t fathom how any well learned barrister at law could’ve advised any potential plantiff to go forward with this frivolous lawsuit.
Albeit not a being trained attorney, I knew that this would have been dismissed based on the illegal merits (if there’s such a term) of this case.
The Prime Minister in his power, can appoint anyone he chooses as a minister of any ministry, except that of finance. That appointment must be an elected representative as prescribed by our constitution.
Who are these people?
And they wish to lead the country?
@Brixtonian – Carmichael, where are you in this one?
No rational thinking person can fathom, but when you are a BLOODTHIRSTY, DESPERATE, HUNGRY, BLOODHOUND looking for fame, you allow emotions to overrule rational thinking. Another nail in the coffin of the DUMB-KNEE-CAN advising UPP!
BRIX COME EEN CLEAN NOW.
Justin again. Lord have mercy. This man will close out the year as a total embarrassment to the King. Has he won any case for the year?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 maybe he can take it allllllll the way to the Privy Council only to hear that:
““…the claimants have NO REALISTIC PROSPECT OF SUCCEEDING in their claim under section 9(1) of the CONSTITUTION!!!
This is highly embarrassing to UPP because you want to avoid looking like a loser as much as you can. Aren’t there any strategist and or legal expert that could have simply expressed this is not one you fight in court? I am literally upset but I did tell you all what the law is on this. No amount of amending the complaint/cause of action will result in a win but will certainly result in putting UPP in a loser-light.
Get some expert strategist and legal experts too. These statements should not be misconstrued as I am in support of the party. I just love things done perfectly and on the merit, strategically. That is my love.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭
Well lward even Stevie Wonder could have seen this coming. Can’t believe Miss Bradshaw a very passionate attorney follow Justin ‘Never Read’ Simon and Leon ‘False Teeth’ Chaku Symesiter and made a fool of herself. Like girl not all cases are worth the while no matter how you feel personally. Anther L for UPP here comes the crying and excuses. Betcha somebody go say the Judge was bought.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
BRIXY BOY, you sarl bad😅😅😅. Not even one small token victory for you? Come on over, like a church we will embrace you.
@saferwithlabour#
If I was Justin Simon, I would bury my head in the sand for real for real. SHAME & DISGRACE!!!! His law school must be so ashamed and probably considering revoking his law degree.
Is Justin Simon a legal Advisor to UPP? He should be FIRED. This Guy has LOST so many cases that I am feeling sorry for Him. Cannot understand why UPP MPS don’t resign and form a new political part ? This UPP is DONE / FINISHED.
I wonder what my Friend BRIXTONIAN will say about this one. BRIXTONIAN be present. Don’t wait for too long.
This is a nonsensical ruling. How can minister in a government be considered independent? This is asinine. And this is why some WI countries hold on to the privy council.
@Mr. Byam
TREVOR WALKER (BPM) sat in the Cabinet of the WICKED SUNSHINE GOVERNMENT!!!! What you had to say about that???? Poor Chanlah Codrington was treated like a “marga darg” even though he win in ASW constituency!!!
UPP WIKKID KARN DONE!!!!!
@Mr Byam…. Your comment demonstrates that you have never read the Constitution. The supreme law of the land, better known as the Constitution, allows it! How can the ruling be nonsensical? The judge cannot rule against the Constitution. Go have a read before you expose your ignorance and complete lack of critical analysis.
My fellow “Stronger Than Ever” UPP supporters, the ABLP acolytes and Gastonites. I have already responded to this farcical development by the biased Court system towards the current incumbents.
Just go to an earlier ANR thread titled:
“Lawyers and … Anthony Smith” or something like that. Read it and tell me ah lie.
The political/judicial cancer spreading Antigua is real folks!
WE MUST FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENT REVIEWS HERE OR WE DONE …
“Stronger Than Ever” you say??? oh yes! with Pringle and CHAOS DEMON at the helm upp definitely “Stronger Than Ever”
UPP HAS LOST ALL C-R-E-D-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y!!!!!!
MASS EXODUS
PLENTY RESIGNATIONS
LOST COURT CASES
EMPTYHEAD PRINGLE
CHAOS DEMON/ MAN COW/ LIPSTICK HAG
BRIXTONIAN are you listening to Hon. Gaston Browne delivering 2025 budget? You believe your You and your Leader can be this ELOQUENT and ASSERTIVE?
BRIXTONIAN, you and your Leader are no match for Hon. Gaston Browne
“The constitutional matter filed before the High Court contained SEVERAL FLAWS leading to its dismissal today.”
“Attorney Sherrie-Ann Bradshaw, representing the constituents, proposed that the court could potentially allow them to amend the claim by adding the grounds from the affidavit and award costs to the defendant rather than striking out the claim.”
https://antiguanewsroom.com/lawyers-for-hon-anthony-smith-dismantle-opponents-in-court/
I didn’t expect a different outcome. Not on account of the evidence. Rather I expected the outcome because of the trial judge. Can anyone point me to a case where this particular judge has ruled against the government. In the one case involving Captain Willock where a new born baby could rule her award was so ridiculous that the case is headed to the JCPC. This judge is more ALP than the former speaker of the House of Representatives.
MAN COW/ CHAOS DEMON/ LIPSTICK HAG must be soooooo proud of her trusted friend and lawyer! Another LOSS under his dominican belt.
No person of sound mind would ever expect and appreciate this kind of ruling. It is almost impossible to even expect a favourable outcome in any matter where the government is the defendant. The UPP needs not worry, it still has a chance at redemption, come 2025. The effort should be to put Anthony Smith out to pasture and the ALP will do the rest. The war for the All Saints West Constituency has been lost but the battle is still to be won.
what battle??? You DELUSIONAL like Giselle and Pringle. Who UPP gonna send to this “battle”???? LOSER BARBARA COATES???? She couldn’t even make it with a little Football Association elections, much less general elections on a much larger scale. You dumb or dunce or both?
The people of ASW are still LEGIT WITH SMITH!!!!
Yes the constitution is on Mr Smith side in this matter, but no one was arguing that what he did was unconstitutional,but rather that what he did was a betrayal of trust amongst the people who voted for him.
We all know the very reason why he quit the UPP, so that he can get a appointed position from Gatson Browne for selling out those who voted for him on the UPP ticket when he accepted the position from GB.
Yes no laws were broken, but a lot of times, trust and support among your people as a politician is way stronger than any law.
I will be remiss to think that this man Smith can win any election going forward.. so yes, he may win the day now,but time is always longer that twine.
“…but rather that what he did was a betrayal of trust amongst the people who voted for him”
AWWWW YOU GOT YOUR LITTLE FEELINGS HURT? Welcome to life! wait until u get your first knuckle. You go tek een!
I wholeheartedly applaud you @ Islanman26 👏🏾
And isn’t it funny how the ABLP supporters are ignoring the “trust and betrayal” of Anthony Smith’s voters in All Saints West.
Again well said…
@wharf rat: when did Trevor cross the aisle and who claimed Trevor was independent?
@Wash an’ Basin: go and learn to read before you respond to my posts. Bird people are the dumbest in the WI.
@Mr Byam…. Your problem is that you somehow think you comprehend much more than you actually do. You think too highly of yourself. This is exactly why you and those of your ilk will die of heart failure, induced by elevated blood pressure from delusional thoughts.
@Brixtonian December 5, 2024 At 11:28 am
very strange isn’t it when you win a case the courts are good, but when you lose a case the courts are bias. I mean didn’t Shuggy won his case when he was challenged? So sad with you.
@Brix.
At least us two are not afraid to shed light on any subject concerning our island, whether the topic is in our favor or not..unlike these GB’s funny people, who like to run in the bushes when bad news is in the air concerning their corrupt government.
Why don’t these supporters be honest and go tell their AG to go solve some murders for crying out loud..two little girls were killed, no arrest,a woman was raped by 5 teenagers, unsolved, Manny was gun down by corrupt officer/s, no results, St Johns is still stink to high heavens, no public restrooms for even the people that GM claim to care about.
Oh and yes,where is the Alpha Nero Money garn?
But here they are dancing in the streets because a Judas like Mr Smith win a little case in their bias courts.
And yes the courts are bias,everyone knows that.. because no way in hell the Alpha Nero should have been sold, or the fact that no case was brought against Gatson Browne for tear gasing his own people, or when he brought in a 1000 illegal immigrants from Africa who simple disappeared in thin air.
All these acts were supposed to have been investigated thoroughly, so the people can know that this government is on the up and up with the peoples affairs.
So let them talk, because we all know that this Administration is as corrupt as it gets.
Oh and let’s not forget this terrible, shady, one-sided deal with Air Peace concerning Lait 2020..all now we can’t see the paper work on that one.. huuumm!!!
@ Less We Forget, you continue to be one of the daftest commentators on these ANR threads when you cry out:
“… didn’t Shugy won his case when he was challenged?”
Challenged?!?!
Are you mentally challenged @ Less We Forget? When the Honourable Kelvin Shugy Simon won his case he STAYED with the UPP; and you are trying to compare Anthony Smith’s treachery when he deserted the constituents of All Saints West for Gaston Browne’s inducement(s).
YOU NEVER THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE …
No wonder Gaston can easily manipulate weak-willed people like you.
Change your name again nah 😂😂😂
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