Judicial review granted

Antigua’s High Court has agreed that there must be a judicial review of the government’s appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into the repayment of a loan to a Japanese company.



The Baldwin Spencer government has said the commission, which was set up last year, should examine the circumstances under which the Japanese company, provided US$33 million to construct a desalination and power plant.



The Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Lester Bird and his former junior finance minister, Asot Michael went to court to prevent the Commission from moving forward.



In handing down his ruling, Justice Errol Thomas said Mr Bird and Mr Michael have an arguable case to seek leave for a judicial review of the government’s appointment of the Commission of Inquiry.