KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is calling for the Andrew Holness led administration to do the right thing and “properly” appoint new acting Chief Justice Bryan Sykes to the post.

Opposition spokesperson on justice, Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, said Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ utterances, suggesting that he has placed Sykes on probation, is an affront to the legal profession, the judiciary and the citizens of Jamaica.

Sykes was appointed to act in the position, effective February 1, until further advised.

Describing the development as unprecedented in the history of Jamaica, Scott-Mottley said never before has a chief justice been placed on probation.

“The Constitution of Jamaica provides for the separation of powers of the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. These are hallowed principles of our democracy,” she said.

“The appointment of Justice Bryan Sykes to act in the position of Chief Justice of Jamaica effectively undermines that principle.”

She said Holness has gone even further to require that the chief justice proves himself and demonstrates actions that bring results before he can be confirmed in the position.

“This raises the question as to who will evaluate the chief justice? What time frame will be established for the assessment? Will he be judged on the decisions which he makes ? If the decisions do not find favour with the prime minister would he be disqualified? Is the prime minister seeking to fetter the actions of the acting chief justice in an attempt to influence his actions?”

She further argued that the chief justice presides over the Judicial Services Commission which appoints members of the judiciary and as such It is untenable that a person in whom such authority is vested is placed in a position where he is uncertain of his own security of tenure.