Public Service Minister says GOB Did Not Take Ombudsman to Court

Tonight, the Government is denying allegations that it took Ombudsman Gilbert Swaso to court over his call for greater transparency. Earlier this year, social activist Jeremy Enriquez filed a Freedom of Information request for details on legal fees tied to the redistricting case, but that request was denied. Enriquez then turned to the Ombudsman, who ordered the Attorney General to partially release the information. Now, the matter is before the courts, as the AG seeks to overturn that decision. Today, we asked Public Service Minister Henry Charles Usher for his take on this legal tug-of-war.

 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service

“I think that the way the media has characterized this is inaccurate. The Ombudsman made a decision according to the Ombudsman’s Act, if the decision is one that is not agreed to, you can appeal it as a lower court appeal. That is what the act says. So, this is really just an appeal of the decision made. It’s not taking the ombudsman to court. It’s appealing his decision to make sure that it is done in accordance with what the law requires. And I don’t see any problem with a government or any entity appealing a decision. So this is just part of that dispute resolution process.”