PM says he will respect court ruling

The Prime Minister being greeted by a suporter after court hearing recently

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has indicated that he and his legal team will to abide to any judgment that Justice  Gertel Thom pronounce in the election petition matter concerning him and Education Minister Petter St Jean.

The Prime Minister said that while the matter may be referred to the court of appeal, whichever way it goes as is allowed by the process of justice, he will respect the ruling in either case.

But he is remaining confident in the strength of the case that was presented.

“We’re confident that the judge will rule in our favour, but I have indicated that we are prepared to respect whatever decision the judge makes. And I have said, win, lose or draw, we will respect it. But those who would like to see me out of the political arena in Dominica because they believe that I am in their way of getting back into office, I am not going nowhere. I’ll be here in Dominica, whether I have retired from politics or not, I’ll be here in Dominica and I will always be part of the political arena in Dominica. So, no one is going to send me to any French country or any Spanish colony, you know. I’m here,” remarked Skerrit.

He added that he nor his team are particularly worried about the verdict since they feel that the petitioners did not really have a case, but, he said, he would respect the process completely despite a possible appeal.

Skerrit stated, “We’re not unduly perturbed by the impending court ruling [but] it is an unnecessary distraction. We could have done better things with your time rather than sitting in court listening to people tell lies and stories but it is part of our legal, democratic process and we respect it.”

He concluded, “Appealing does not necessarily mean that you disrespect it. That’s a matter for the lawyers to examine, advise the clients at the appropriate time, but we shall respect the judge’s ruling.”

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57 Comments

  1. me
    October 13, 2011

    Sure he will, he know quite well there is no way he is going to loose so what else we expect him to say. I’ve said it once and I will say it again. It is a sad day when you can’t depend or trust you court system.

  2. justice to be served
    October 12, 2011

    First of all la and not rumours or emotion is what this is about. The case was not about skerrit dual nationality, the Prime Minister told us so. The case was about whether he had a french passport. that was not proven in court. Base on the law he has to win the case.
    Actually the case should have been thrown out of court, but it was not because of politics, the judge did not want the opposition to say he/she was biased. This was not a case this was a fishing expedition. You don’t take people to court and hope the judge will force them to indict themselves, that is called waterboarding.
    So once again UWP have to turn around and come again, with evidence, not rumours or supposition.
    The Trinidadian just eat their money, he should have advised them that they don’t have a case, if they don’t have the evidence to produce in court..

  3. R- TRUTH
    October 12, 2011

    every word has a meaning,i read the pm’s statement i just have to lol,i also heard his statement on radio,i had to shake my head.only god knws…mr.pm you need to ask for forgiveness frm dca\s you need to put a stop to all the untruths,i once belived in you as a positive young man.dca\s do not love you,the money is what they love not you.words of advice.

  4. D'can By Marriage
    October 12, 2011

    Some of you folks need to research law and then you can comment on these things..Skerrit didn’t accuse himself..the UWP did..it is solely up to them to prove their case..By not testifying do not by any means confirm his guilt or innocence for that matter but he is exercising his judicial right…He is not a criminal….The Hon PM had a very good tried and tested lawyer who in my view did the best defense he can by undermining the proseution’s key witness..If some of you follow court cases around the world you will know that…Remember O.J Simpson trial…?? If the glove can’t fit you must aquitt… most recently Amanda Knox walk free from Italy court last week upon appeal because of discrepancies in the procutions story…….TO BE Continued

  5. Freedom Watcher
    October 12, 2011

    Matt Peltier has some regional journalists on the radio today. they are played a clip of the Prime Minister Skerritt saying Dominica is too free.

    Asked to comment a senior journalist says he needs to know the context. What the phruck! What context do you need to understand a leader of a country, who admires and befriends dictators saying that his people are too free?

    If this is a senior journalist we are ion big trouble.

    • Lady
      October 12, 2011

      you got that right freedom watcher. When a PM hangs out with the likes of castro and chavez and ghadaffi any context in which it is said spells trouble. when you play with dogs u get fleas remember

    • caribbean genius
      October 12, 2011

      Well if that recorded statement is true, we have to be very careful. Because some time ago he made a statement about a time will come when people wont be able to share info or say certain things without facing the brunt of the law.
      Are our freedoms to be taken away???

      • ah ha..
        October 12, 2011

        geesh…you people love to cry… the only reason you are against the statement is because skerrit said it… and you ppl make that statement everyday yourselves… the laws are too laxed, too outdated, people doing and saying what they want about others without impunity… essentially Dominica as compared even to the mighty USA IS TOO FREE!

  6. Trouble Intended
    October 12, 2011

    Roosevelt Skerrit is several steps ahead of the opposition and that’s good for him as a politician. but he is light years ahead of most Dominicans and that is bad news for the masses.

  7. honestly
    October 12, 2011

    :) PRIME MINISTER SKEERIT DID A LOT FOR DOMINICAN SO IF HE EVER LOSE DOMINICA PLP UNGREARTFUL HE MADE DOMINICA ARE BEST PLACE .HELP THE YOUNG PLP .

  8. DA man
    October 12, 2011

    you all an’t see nothing yet when this man is back into a coner is then dominican will see what they bring onto them self by puting this man in power

  9. Sam
    October 12, 2011

    Mr. Prime Minister you keep saying that this is an unnecessary distraction but you are the one causing that distraction.

    You could have avoided all of this long court process by just producing the evidence to the opposition and let them hush their mouth.

    One has to wonder what you have to hide cause you are buying time by using the Court system.

  10. Anonymous
    October 12, 2011

    why is it when i am taking my cool time to post comment I am getting an error that I am posting comments too quickly ..dno you have a bug on this site.
    Anyway to get back to what i tried to say, the pm seems to be trying to blame others for the time wasted. if he had only told us the truth that whole case could have been avoided. I don’t need to go to court to know my nationality. Then why do you Skerrit. To waste time and our money! Don’t blame anyone but yourself. Anyway, its not so much that I want to see you go. you would have been fantastic if only you did not bring the dictatorship attitude.

  11. ..........
    October 12, 2011

    what allu talking about nuh? we know it is not constitutional to have dual citizenship and part take in elections. However what we need to remember is that in a court of law evidence matters. so yes they have the passport, however the evidence was never shown or proven in court, therefore the judge cannot rule on what he/she knows is true but rather on evidence provided. We need to stop being so emotional!

    • Sam
      October 12, 2011

      Yes in the court of law evidence is all that matters. Without evidence then the guilty may walk away based on technicality but that does not mean he did no wrong and he is not guilty.

      • ah ha..
        October 12, 2011

        then get the evidence…doh expect to shout loud until someone believes you or expect the other person to incriminate themselves for you!

        some of you dominicans need to educate yourselves on legal matters… really!

  12. Bull Crap
    October 12, 2011

    Well its clear that somebody knows what the court will decide already.
    I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but am not stupid.This is the same man that not to long ago was saying win lose or draw u here to stay not you coming with you will respect the court ruling.

    If any one can honestly say that this is because of humble then you guy are more in a fantasy world than i thought.

  13. RAS
    October 12, 2011

    WIN LOSE OR DRAW. HE REALISE THAT HE WILL LOSE.

    • SMH
      October 12, 2011

      I get the feeling he knows that he will Not lose and so showing people that he can be humble. As he knows he is losing supporters by the minute with his bad attitude. He just wants us to think he is acting good. We know he is not.

  14. Anonymous
    October 12, 2011

    the truth shsll set you free mr pm

  15. Very concerned
    October 11, 2011

    Does Skerrit have a choice in respecting the Court ruling? If he doesn’t he goes to jail for contempt, so what news is this?
    He better just wait for the decision.

    • Buwo
      October 12, 2011

      Go to jail for what? This is not a criminal case. The only thing the judge can do is declare the election void, call a bi-election and Skerrit is going to win again.

      18-3

      Hahahahahaha

    • Curious
      October 13, 2011

      That’s why he invoked the clause against self incrimination..taht way… there won’t be evidence to use against him in a criminal case. This is civil court ppl

  16. Anonymous
    October 11, 2011

    If loving my PM is a crime!!!!!I’d rather go to jail to spend some time….win or lose is love I love my PM…when our kids do wrong, do we throw them to the wolves? NO…we love them…..tough LOVE….so am loving my PM in good times and bad time…

    xxxxxxxxx Skero…

    • D
      October 12, 2011

      Let’s hope your PM returns the same favor to you my dear.

  17. Aye Dominique
    October 11, 2011

    Is there an option to respecting the court ruling? I don’t get his comments….someone please help me to comprehend what this young man is trying to say.

  18. shortboy
    October 11, 2011

    SKERRIT ALL THE WAY THE ONLY MAN THAT CAN DO THE JOB HE IS THERE TO STAY SO BACK OFF ALL THE HATERS!!!

    • October 12, 2011

      YOU ARE RIGHT!!!
      HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO “THAT KIND” OF JOB

    • son
      October 13, 2011

      We need to give the young man his due he has done so much for his people especially the youth if he has done wrong let the court deal with him if the court failed than God will deal with him we need to keep him up in prayer.

  19. Steve
    October 11, 2011

    If he is found guilty I hope he will be prosecuted by the attorney general an the DPP for violation of the countries constitution.

    • WIKILEAKS
      October 11, 2011

      Would you want the same applied to Ron Green and the others before him??

      • 1979 LIVES!!!
        October 12, 2011

        YESSSS EVERY ONE OF THEM SHOULD BE MADE EXAMPLE OF : WE AS DOMINICA SHOULD NOT SPARE THE ROD AS PERTAINS TO OUR CONSTITUTION

  20. wat a joke!
    October 11, 2011

    U HAD A REVELATION MR.MAN!! HMMMM U LEARN TO HUMBLE URSELF NOW??? NOW TELL UR SUPPORTER TO RELAX! AND NOT MAKE NOISE WITH ME WHEN I SAY IS RUBBISH YOU TALKING WHEN IT’S TRUE!! ANYWAY THANK YOU FOR HUMBLING URSELF!

    • dominican
      October 11, 2011

      You think he don’t know the outcome already? Why you think he talking? That is one of his psychological techniques. He knows what Thom is going to say.

    • DPM
      October 11, 2011

      That’s not humility. That’s a political and psychological strategy (politricks).

  21. Monkey Business
    October 11, 2011

    Sounds like the outcome of this case is already known just like the outcome in the BVI case was allegedly known in advance.

  22. eee
    October 11, 2011

    That’s foolish rhetoric by a weak leader.You have to accept the ruling. YOU must! You have no choice.

    • jamo
      October 12, 2011

      the question is, will the other side accept the ruling. we shall see who will prove to be the hypocrites

  23. ?????
    October 11, 2011

    By respecting the court ruling,you are not doing anyone ,anyone whatsoever a favour. The truth is you can’t do anything other than to accept the ruling.Dominica belongs to all of us collectively. Not the property of a mighty, r.!

  24. doctor love
    October 11, 2011

    CAN AN INTELLIGENT PERSON CONVINCE ME THAT SKERRIT REALLY BELIEVES HE SHOULD WIN THAT CASE.THE GUY REFUSED TO GO TO THE COURT TO DEFEND HIMSELF,HE REFUSED TO TELL DOMINICANS IF HE HAS A FRENCH PASSPORT OR NOT ,HE IS HOPING FOR A LEGAL TECHICALITY TO STAY IN OFFICE AND HE TALKING THAT HE WILL WIN THE CASE.WIN,LOOSE OR DRAW YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN AS THE FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF DOMINICA THAT REFUSED TO BE HONEST TO THE COURT.THE GUY WENT BEFORE THE COURT IN THE BVI AND ANSWERED ALL QUESTIONS THROWN AT HIM,TONY TOLD DOMINICANS HOW GREAT HE WAS ON THE STAND .BY THE WAY THE MANY CARIBBEAN JOURNALISTS WILL BE IN DOMINICA THIS WEEK ,I HOPE DOES NOT RUN AWAY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY WHILE THEY ARE IN DOMINICA.

    • delicious
      October 11, 2011

      That’s what de little man is used for…. to ensure everything goes in his favor so he has no need to have fear. Dominicans are the one who should because of the retaliation that is bound to come

  25. Petroy
    October 11, 2011

    SKERRIT IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Looking in
      October 12, 2011

      The best at what? Lying?

  26. youth
    October 11, 2011

    a fast cover up

  27. mouth of the south
    October 11, 2011

    if it don’t goes in ur favor and u appeal it…. then how do u ‘respect’ the ruling lol… i thought respecting a ruling is meant to agree with it as the last legal opinion…. hhmmmppphhh

    (i brought ‘……’ now i bring hhmmmmppphh i hope allu doh start copying again… dat is another trademark… GEEEZZZ)

    • jamo
      October 12, 2011

      you mean to appeal like Lennox?

  28. Anon Again
    October 11, 2011

    Let me remind everyone again that for several months after Barrack Obama was elected president, a group of detractors known as “birthers” accused him of not being qualified to hold the office because he was born outside the US. Obama put a stop to it by doing something he did not have to do: he published his long form birth certificate so all of American and the world could see. If Skerrit were innocent, if he had nothing to hide, if he did not have and use a French passport, and if he cared about Dominica and the cost to. and toll this is taking on, the country, why won’t he do as Obama did? Why did he not take the stand and swear under oath that he never, as an adult use a French passport? Why did he pull his Dominican passport and show the court all the times he used it whenever he travelled to Europe? This would have settled the matter

    • BOSS
      October 11, 2011

      I CONCUR! This was a golden opportunity for my friend and comrade to put AN END to the politics of “run shop gossip,language, innuendo and lies” by taking the stand willingly, presenting his birth paper and passport/s and ALL other travel documents in his possession to the media/politics to settle the matter in the minds of the pople ONCE AND FOR ALL and to prove the opposition to be a HOAX. Mr. Skerrit has failed to so do whereas he could take the OBAMA approach in silencing his critics and I WONDER WHY HE COULD NOT or DID NOT! and we keep looking, reading and listening comrades!

  29. Make Sense
    October 11, 2011

    Did you have a choice?? You making it seem like the Law in Dominica is for some to abide by and others may not!!

    Maubarak, Ghadafi, and Charles Taylor once had that similar mind set.Where are they now??
    dno please post.

  30. Franky vincent
    October 11, 2011

    Listening to people tell lies or stories”- which people?. I tell you people the guy can’t speak on his own without putting both feet in his mouth. We wonder why he refuse to go on a one on one debate or even to sit down and answer hard questions. Can you imagine the fiasco if this PM had to answer questions from Mendes. Oh god that would have been another Gonzales and Edison James Oreo Cookie fiasco.
    If I was a reporter I would ask him who was telling the lies – his side or the other side. Although he is not so smart He might have said the other side but then I would ask him so why didn’t he and Petter come and just tell us the truth so we wouldn’t be wasting “OUR” time , the pastor time, and a few people from vielle case time. Also the opposition people would not come to court to lie because Skerrit and St Jean decided to speak the truth – whatever the truth is.

    Zort mi Mati- lies bundling on lies. Just keep backing yourself in corner at one point you wont be able to dodge the truth.

    Lo ley lo ley lo lie

  31. littleboy
    October 11, 2011

    Since after acting PM Ambrose George spoke his heart out yesterday when he informed us that we as a nation have mortgaged our food, Skeritt has been on the attack. Today he has been bowling from left, right, and center. Although he used UWP to shoot his bullets at, don’t be fooled because we that know the man know it was an indirect attack on people like Ambrose and Blackmoore, who are very hopeful that he will be kicked out of power.

  32. The truth
    October 11, 2011

    Is the PM above the law, what statement is that…..We expect evey one involved to respect the court’s decision SMDH…..

  33. dragonfly
    October 11, 2011

    LOL,WELL SAH !!!

  34. caribbean genius
    October 11, 2011

    You are going to respect the verdict, but yet still it will be referred to appeal court.. Sounds contradictory..

  35. please
    October 11, 2011

    Next time the WI selectors are around tell them you PM can “spin” enough to outdo Tendulkarm Dravid and co. you mean you are trying to tell us something else about Win , lose or draw. You must be targetting the few labour supporters left you could count after Portsmouth last weekend.. my advise leave that spin thing for Parry B..
    and yes talk appeal cause both you and Tony know what is the judges decision.
    you made me hate Lennox believing he was lying on you. You are and no example to young people and after you calling people who oppose you nonsense liers and enemy.
    my friend you are dominica,s biggest enemy becuase of the negative qualities you have, lier, thief, arrogance, cunning…….

  36. Nonsense Stopper
    October 11, 2011

    Tell them.

  37. Anonymous
    October 11, 2011

    And on and on we go.

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