Williams and Tufton return to Senate, following Appeal Court ruling

By Rohan Powell

Senators Arthur Williams and Dr. Christopher Tufton were on Friday morning officially welcomed back into the Upper House of Parliament, in the wake of Wednesday's Court of Appeal decision.

In that decision, the Appeal Court upheld the Constitutional Court's ruling that the removal of Williams and Tufton from the Senate in November, 2013, using pre-signed letters of resignation, was unconstitutional, null and void.

The sitting got underway at 10:31, with uncertainty as to how the day's business would unfold, with nine Government members present and no sign of  the Opposition members.

The unease ended, however, when Senate President Floyd Morris took his seat. Seven Opposition members then took their seats, including Senators Williams and Tufton.

Senator Morris acknowledged that the uncertainty surrounding the attendance of Mr. Williams and Dr. Tufton had been put to rest, welcoming them both back and wishing them well "in their renewed effort to represent their country at this august institution."

Senator Mark Golding, acting Leader of  Government Business, in welcoming the men's return, lauded the Appeal Court and the Constitutional Court for their handling of  the controversial  removal of  the JLP Senators.

The two courts, he said, perhaps played "what may be regarded as their most important constitutional role, arising from the separation of powers that underlies our governmental system."

Furthermore, he added, the courts had done so "with manifest judicial dexterity, appropriate circumspection, and, indeed, mature sensitivity to the pressing national interest."

Senator Tavares-Finson, Leader of Opposition Business, said the way was now paved for Dr. Tufton and Mr. Williams to make a meaningful contribution on behalf of the Jamaican people.

In that regard, he quipped that he hoped he will no longer hear taunts from his colleagues that "if Arthur (Williams) was here, I couldn't do this or that!"

The returning senators both made brief statements; Williams merely thanking his colleagues for their welcome. Tufton went a bit further, expressing regret for the role he played in causing the courts to have to be called on to resolve the Senate seats issue.

"I am sorry for that; it certainly will represent one of the experiences in my political life that I will always regret," he said.