Trial of ‘UPP Three’ delayed until Tuesday afternoon after prosecutor is a no-show in court this morning

Family, colleagues and even defense counsel were frustrated this morning, after the High Court trial of three Ministers in the former United Progressive Party Administration was delayed.

The attorney leading the prosecution against Political Leader Harold Lovell and his one-time deputies, Willmoth Daniel and Dr. Jacqui Quinn, was not present in court at the time the proceedings began – reportedly because he could not get a flight out of Montserrat.

After hearing arguments from Lovell’s attorney, Anesta Weekes, Q.C. – which were supported by Dane Hamilton, Q.C., attorney for Dr. Quinn – the presiding judge agreed to postpone the start of the trial to 3 p.m. today.  Justin Simon, Q.C., representing Daniel, supported the decision.

It is hoped that the prosecutor will have made it onto a flight arriving on island at around 12:30 p.m., and will be ready to start the proceedings by 3 o’clock when the sitting resumes.

Disgruntled supporters, including members of the Party’s current slate, argued among themselves that the situation was unprofessional. 

Several told REAL News they felt it was a deliberate move to frustrate the “UPP Three” and that a greater effort could have been made by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to have the prosecutor on island since Monday.