by Robert A Emmanuel (Antigua Observer) Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle has reacted to a case that could have wider regional and local implications as, last week, a High Court judge in Barbados ruled that regulations barring civil servants from engaging in active politics were unconstitutional.
This decision could have implications for Antigua and Barbuda as an election petition against the United Progressive Party’s (UPP) Kelvin ‘Shugy’ Simon—a former civil servant—over his election as a Member of Parliament is currently before the High Court.
Simon, who was recently sworn in as the Member of Parliament for St Mary’s South, is being challenged by Casworth Aaron on behalf of the ruling Labour Party on the grounds that his initial nomination was void.
Simon resigned a week after he was nominated but two weeks before election day.
Speaking to Observer media after last week’s budget presentation, Pringle said that the case was being reviewed by the UPP and reiterated his party’s position that there should not be a blanket ban on civil servants in politics.
