Former Police Commissioner Criticizes Bar Association Over Silence Amid Alleged Executive Attacks on Judiciary
Former Commissioner of Police Rawlston Pompey has slammed the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association (ABBA) for what he perceives as its weak response to the perceived verbal attacks by members of the Executive on the Judiciary.
Pompey, known for his outspoken views, described the Association as “moribund,” accusing it of failing to adequately defend the independence and integrity of the courts.
Pompey’s comments were prompted by a statement purportedly issued by the ABBA, which expressed concern over what it described as a “troubling trend” of Executive members criticizing judicial officers and the courts. The former top cop, however, was unimpressed, dismissing the statement as timid and lacking in substance.
He suggested that the Bar Association’s leadership, including its Council and President, appeared to have been “environmentally forced to arise from insipidity,” implying that the Association had been spurred into action by external pressures rather than any genuine commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Pompey also took issue with the stance of certain Executive members who have publicly questioned the leniency of some judicial sentences. He argued that the Bar Association should focus on the “grievous nature” of certain criminal acts and their impact on society, the rule of law, and national security, rather than defending the Judiciary against such criticisms.
“While a Prime Minister cannot easily separate personal opinions from their official position, it is certainly not the role of the Attorney General—who also holds legislative and national responsibilities—to bring administrative displeasure to the Judiciary,” Pompey remarked. He alluded to the unique position of Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Olivero Benjamin, who simultaneously serves as a member of the Executive, the Legislature, and holds significant influence over the Judiciary.
In his scathing review, Pompey did not shy away from highlighting what he sees as the Bar Association’s failure to police its own members. He accused a small minority within the legal fraternity of engaging in “questionable exploits” that have brought the profession into disrepute, further eroding public confidence in the legal system.
Pompey ended his critique with a sarcastic recommendation for those in the legal community to “screw up your faces as much as possible” and internalize his message, even suggesting that they might need “15 grams of tampie”—a local colloquialism—for stress relief, cautioning them to avoid public displays.
The former Commissioner’s comments have ignited a broader debate about the role and effectiveness of the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association in safeguarding the independence of the Judiciary, as well as the appropriate limits of Executive commentary on judicial matters. As tensions between branches of government continue to simmer, the Association’s next moves will be closely watched.
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Pompey is irrelevant and a wannabe lawyer.
where was all this chatting when he was IN the police force???? All of a sudden he turn Monday Morning Quarterback??? gimme a break!
I never read nor listen to anything Pompey says as no one can understand. It seems as if English is his 5th language and learnt as a foreign language. I have tried, really tried, to read some of what he writes, but it is cumbersome and disjointed. How did he ever become a Commissioner?
Because of the partisan nature of everything in Antigua and Barbuda, it is tough to write or say anything because most people only see things through their narrow political lens. People can no longer be rational or impartial in their thinking and analysis because of politics. When our party of choice does or says something, it is always right and everyone else is wrong. This lack of independence and impartiality is wrecking Antigua and Barbuda
I have learned so much from Mr Pompey and I value his sensible, sound, sturdy and solid analysis. Too many of us are always keen and willing to slam and slander the messenger instead of trying to understand the message.
Like myself, Mr Pompey is an independent mind and thinker with no political axe to grind. We call it like we see it.
oh SHUT UP!!!! You lucky you don’t live in North Korea with your bogus 2019 story about Venezuela military aircraft! Not up to now youproduce one shred of evidence. These days stick to writing about Stayfree PADS! perfect topic for you.
LET THE JACKASSES BRAY: …NEITHER GRASS, NOR CHEESE IN MOUTH
FIERY AND PEPPERY. ‘…COME FOR ME’ [Prime Minister Gaston Browne’ ANR: August 23, 2024: Paragraph 10].
Would never say like ‘…Dr. Eric Williams: …LET THE JACKASS BRAY [Mighty Chalk Dust].
The ‘…Mighty Sparrow’ warns’…DON’T BE A BLOCKED-HEADED MULE’ [Song: Education].
Top of the afternoon, my esteemed, social media friends, and particularly, ‘…Audley P.’
Shall now say: ‘…THANKS TO ANR,’ in allowing these ‘…COMMENTS’ and ‘COMMENTARIES.’
This is the news portal that brings:
(i) ‘…Awareness:
(ii) …Informs
(iii) …Enlightens: and
(iv) …Educates.’
It shall be for enlightenment that ‘…RAWLSTON POMPEY’ was a ‘…Professionally trained LAW ENFORCER,’ with advanced ‘… ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING’ by:
(i) ‘…The BRITISH:
(ii) …CANADIAN: and
(iii)…AMERICAN.’
Rawlston Pompey had ‘…No Law Practice Studies: Never underwent any: nor ‘…Acquired no related Legal Practice Degree.’ Therefore, hold ‘…NO UNNECESSARY ARGUMENTS’ over these.
APPEARANCES: …REASONS: …PURPOSES
The only times and reasons, he appeared before:
(a) ‘…MAGISTRATES:
(b) …JUDGES: and
(c) …JURIES:’ were for two purposes:
(i) ‘…POLICE WITNESS IN CRIMINAL TRIALS-Summary/ High Court: and
(ii) …POLICE COURT PROSECUTOR’ (Magistrate Courts only).
Many ‘…Legal Practitioners’ reading this comment, shall make ‘…ATTESTATIONS OF FACT.’
Was not intimidated by none of them.
They had to look to see where ‘…RAWLSTON POMPEY’ had failed to adhere to ‘…CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURES AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION GUARANTEED TO THEIR CLIENTS.’
NOW:
DIFFERENCES: LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LAW PRACTICE
The ‘DIFFERENCES,’ are: ‘…Rawlston Pompey ‘ENFORCED LAW,’ while they ‘…DEFENDED CRIMINAL CLIENTS.’
One could now place into a category a ‘…Small Minority of:
(a) …Small-minded:
(b) …Overly bitter: and
(c) …School-scudding deviants: and
(d) …Vexingly grudging and idiotic Commenters.’
Even with these descriptions, their ‘…Views and Opinions’ are not only well respected, but also all shall be contended.
TWO THINGS THEY MUST DO, THOUGH, ARE:
(i) ‘…DEY HAFFI REDE UM: and
(ii) …RAWLSTON POMPEY takes ‘NO’ responsibility, neither for their:
(a) ‘…VEXATIOUS DUNCENESS:
(b) …CRUDENESS OR RUDENESS:
(c) …BLISSFUL IGNORANCE: nor
(d) …STUPIDITY OF THE HIGHEST.’
NO SAH!
Still, one shall excuse their ‘…IDIOCY: …SIMPLICITY: AND STUPIDITY.’
Even so, their comments, darn well make me feel Glad.
SHALL NOW GIVE RECOGNITION TO THESE COMMENTERS AND COMMITTED READERS:
(i) ‘…The esteemed ‘CYNICALS- CYNICS:
(ii) …THE HYPOCRISY- HYPOCRITES: and
(iii) …OTTO’S- SMALL ‘…JACOB-INFESTED’ POTATOES.’
These are the type ‘…Rawlston Pompey’ likes.
Love, respect and best regards to all.
THE ‘…RAWLSTON POMPEY’ PLEDGE
‘…ENDEAVORING TO ERADICATE THE ‘…SOCIAL SCOURGE OF ILLITERACY: …SEEKING TO ENCOURAGE GREATER APPRECIATION OF LITERACY.’
My Attorney Friend, ‘…CHARLESWORTH TABOR’ would be misguided, if he gets drawn into this.
TALK AND WALK GOOD.
I usually disagree with Pompey’s view points. But this criticism of the BAR is spot on. They are being lead by a small group of politically aligned lawyers and are really not speaking for the entire group. Reminds me the same way POWA was infiltrated and taken over by a small group of UPP aligned professional women such as Joan Underwood, Gizell Isaac and more. Even many of our NGO’s are so politically aligned to the UPP that they only comment and criticize when it is a Labour Party government they have to criticize. And that is why one cannot take these groups serious. It’s all about politics.
They can’t stop my boy Pompey.
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