Confusion over swearing-in of new Justice Minister

The swearing-in of  Justice Minister-designate  Christlyn Moore, which was expected to take place yesterday, has been postponed to early next week. Prime Minister  Kamla Persad-Bissessar who fired Justice Minister Herbert Volney on Thursday, said he would be replaced by Moore. The Government said Moore, an attorney, would be sworn in yesterday.

Moore will replace Government senator Terance Baynes (also of Tobago) in the Senate. She will take her oath of office when the Senate resumes in two weeks for the budget debate. Indications from the Government yesterday morning were that the ceremony was to take place between 10.30 am and 11 am at Knowsley. But officers at Knowsley said nothing was scheduled.

Officials at President’s House said they had no information on the situation and could not say when it would take place.  The Office of the Prime Minister also said the swearing-in had been postponed, but stated President’s House had jurisdiction on that function. A government source eventually said the swearing-in may take place next Tuesday or Wednesday, after Monday’s Republic Day holiday.

A source close to Moore said all her documents were in order and the office at the Justice Ministry had been cleared of Volney’s things and was available for her. Moore has legal practices in both Trinidad and Tobago, officials said. She was at her Trinidad office yesterday but was unavailable.