The Attorney General’s Chambers says an acting director of public prosecution (DPP) will be appointed following the ruling by the Constitutional Court on Friday, April 19, that the second tenure extension granted to the DPP Paula Llewelyn is unconstitutional.

“Due to ambiguity and the consequent uncertainty arising from the Full Court’s judgement in Paulwell and Bunting v the Attorney General SU 223 CV 02499, the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, has advised that she is unable to carry out the functions of her office at this time,” the Attorney-General’s Chambers said in a statement on Sunday, April 21.

The Public Service Commission is expected to expedite the appointment of a qualified person to act in the role of DPP, in accordance with Section 96(3) of the Constitution.

“After careful consideration of the judgement and in the public interest, the attorney general will be appealing the Full Court’s decision immediately to have the issues resolved and determined by the Court of Appeal,” the Attorney General’s Chambers added.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding called the appointment of an interim DPP following the ruling by the Constitutional Court, which nullified the DPP’s tenure.

The Constitutional Court ruled that the Government’s amendment of the Constitution to grant a second extension to Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, with the option to remain in office up to the age of 70 years, was unconstitutional.

This follows a lawsuit filed against the Government by the PNP’s Phillip Paulwell and Peter Bunting after the Government used its majority in Parliament to pass a bill on Tuesday, July 25, to extend the retirement age of the DPP from age 60 to 65, with the option of an extension to 70.

The court ruled that the only lawful way of extending the DPP’s tenure is by an agreement between the Government and the Opposition leader.