by Bennette Roach
Esco Henry - Hon. Attorney Genral, Montserrat
It may have been the unassuming nature and humility of the lady, becoming once again the Honourable Attorney General of Montserrat, but what excuse is given The Montserrat Reporter (TMR) who should have been advised of a more formal, dignified and official welcome to a Montserratian taking up this high office in Montserrat.
The new attorney general is Miss Esco Henry who was appointed to a three-year contract as of June 27, 2011. The honourable lady served in that capacity before this from 2002 to 2005. Since that time and now Montserrat was served by an African gentleman Eugene Otuonye and an Englishman who is said to be serving in another British Overseas territory as attorney general.
The honourable lady was sworn in quietly at a sitting of the Legislative Council meeting held on Thursday, June 29 where she received cordial words of welcome, as she buckled down to restoring some sense of worthiness in reputation to the Attorney General’s office.
Yet, it was at the call of Miss Marcelle Watts to the bar in the Eastern Caribbean High Court in Montserrat on July 12, when senior attorney and former Chief Minister David Brandt who in welcoming Miss Watts to the Bar, welcomed and congratulated the new AG on the appointment, acknowledged, “I have worked with her before and I know that she is steadfast in her work.”
“I would like to welcome our new learned Attorney General and I would like to say unto her she would have the full support of the private bar,” the Attorney said after joining her in support of Miss Watts’ application to sit at the Bar.
In welcoming Ms. Henry, the attorney offered words of encouragement reminding, “nearly every attorney general that ever served in Montserrat they go on the bench of the Eastern Caribbean Court, and I say to you therefore you are just on the brink of being a judge.”
Since assuming her new position, Ms. Henry’s presence in three sittings of the Legislative Council has been noticeable, elucidating frequently, greatly enhancing the debates in the Council.
