Misleading headlines broadcasting that the interim stay was denied yesterday should be corrected or retracted forthwith.

Ministry of Legal Affairs, March 1, 2019

It is with much displeasure the Ministry of Legal Affairs refers to several headlines appearing in at least three of the country’s leading Newspapers indicating that the Attorney General, Basil Williams, SC, MP was denied an interim stay yesterday.

The Attorney’s representing the interest of the respective parties were invited to yesterday’s case management conference to set strict timelines for the hearing and consideration for a stay of the Chief Justice’s Decision issued on 31st January, 2019 and a conservatory order preserving the status quo.

In fact, before the adjournment of this session, The Hon. Attorney General, Basil Williams, SC, MP capitalized on the opportunity to request and interim stay of the Chief Justice’s Decision relying solely on the case of Desmond Morian, where he reminded that the then Chancellor Mr. Carl Singh used his absolute and unfettered discretion and had granted an interim stay in the matter. Mr. Nandlall opposed, the Attorney’s General’s application by stating “we have not been heard, He needs to argue for that….I would like to submit my submissions first.

However, Justice Rishi Persaud politely informed” that he not minded to grant an interim stay since he working with strict timelines established earlier so he does not see the need to grant a stay at this time.”

The headlines of these articles are considered wholly misleading, mischievous and are calculated to create undue unrest among the Guyanese people.  

It’s quite imperative for these media outlets to adopt a more responsible and candid approach when reporting matters of this magnitude.

To date the Attorney General has not been able to argue the application for a Stay or Conservatory order because only case management conference was conducted.