TNN BREAKING NEWS
Another emergency hearing was held today in the Supreme Court’s Commercial Court before Justice, the Honourable Justice Shade Subair Williams, as the legal battle surrounding the Progressive Labour Party’s leadership election and membership process continues.
TNN News understands that counsel for Curtis Dickinson, King’s Counsel Delroy Duncan, raised further allegations of non-compliance with orders previously issued by the Court.
According to information presented to the Court, Dickinson’s legal team alleges that approximately 373 PLP members have been removed from a membership list, including individuals who had reportedly paid their membership dues, without those members being notified of their removal.
The alleged removals are being challenged as a potential violation of the Court’s orders governing the PLP’s membership and delegate-selection process.
The Court had previously ordered the PLP leadership to preserve the existing membership process and prohibited the implementation of changes that were approved by the party’s Central Committee on August 24. Justice Subair Williams subsequently stressed in written reasons that compliance with the Court’s orders is mandatory and that no individual or organisation is above the law. (Bermuda.FM)
TNN understands that Dickinson’s legal team argued that names removed from the membership list should be reinstated and that the PLP administration must comply with the Court’s directions.
During today’s proceedings, the Court also heard that the PLP’s lead counsel, Mark Pettingill, was overseas and unavailable. Attorney Matthew Frick appeared in his place and, according to information provided to TNN, indicated that he did not have instructions on certain matters before the Court.
The latest development comes just days after Justice Subair Williams issued written reasons warning the PLP about compliance with her previous orders. In her September 21 ruling, the judge addressed allegations of breaches of the injunction and reiterated the importance of strict compliance with the Court’s orders. The substantive case is currently scheduled for trial on October 1 and 2. (Bermuda.FM)
The dispute centres on changes to the PLP’s membership and delegate-selection rules during the party’s leadership contest between Curtis Dickinson and Jason Hayward. David Burt is stepping down as PLP leader at the end of October, according to previously reported plans.
TNN also understands that Curtis Dickinson has signed up approximately 1,822 new members since the beginning of his leadership campaign. That figure, and the circumstances surrounding the membership removals, remain matters of dispute and should be distinguished from facts established by the Court.
The continuing court battle has placed the PLP’s internal membership process and upcoming leadership election under significant judicial scrutiny.
TNN News will continue to follow this developing story and will report further developments as they emerge from the Supreme Court.
Stay tuned to TNN News — Bermuda News as it happens.
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