EDITORIAL - Churlish behaviour in Manchester

This newspaper is trying to make sense of the ugly protest by Manchester justices of the peace (JPs) over Ms Sally Porteous' appointment as custos. So far, the detractors have failed to bring a coherent and compelling case demonstrating that Ms Porteous is unworthy of serving the parish in this largely ceremonial role.

The Custodes Act dictates that a custos must be a justice of the peace before being so installed, an administrative procedure which the previous Government fast-tracked to facilitate the eligibility of Ms Porteous, after she had resigned as a parish councillor.

Indeed, a custos should reside in the parish he or she represents, and all evidence points to the fact that Ms Porteous lives in Manchester.

If it is that the person to be appointed should not have had a criminal record, we have heard no such allegation as it relates to Ms Porteous, and therefore assume that she has a clean slate.

If it is that the person should be community-spirited, Ms Porteous fits the bill, because it appears that she was thrust into a political role because of her agitation for neighbourhood improvements in Manchester. Her activism is well documented.

Fact is, she would not be the first politician to perform such a role. The outgoing acting custos, Mr Calvin Lyn, himself, is a former politician. The only difference is that he was from the opposite side.

If it is that Ms Porteous is being spurned because she was not a justice of the peace prior to her appointment, we need look no further than a predecessor to find precedent. Mr Gilbert Allen was installed as a justice of the peace to make him eligible for appointment as custos. From all accounts, he served Manchester with distinction and dignity.

Justices forgetting role

Are there conflicts of interest or corruption issues involved? We have not heard any such accusation. Is it a personality issue? So far, all we have heard is that the position was promised to someone else. That may well have been the case, but we submit that someone being bypassed for an appointment is no reason for the churlish behaviour that we have seen in Manchester.

These JPs appear to have forgotten their role as peacemakers and are exhibiting the kind of divisive behaviour which has held back our country for far too long. If they want the office of justice of the peace to be held in high esteem, they need to end their protest and resolve to work with Ms Porteous for the good of their parish.

We have seen nothing morally unsupportable in Ms Porteous' appointment. And we urge the governor general to ignore the voices of protest.

In a way, the Manchester protest could serve as a wake-up call for the country to be more open and transparent in making appointments to all important offices by determining whether candidates have the requisite accomplishments for the position. Let there be open dialogue prior to key appointments so that we may successfully eliminate the appearance of cronyism, payback and loyalty rewards in important offices.

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