Adapted from Radio Montserrat
A local social commentator continued to give a different view following the officially led public celebration of the life of the recently deceased Justice Albert Readhead, who was afforded a ceremonial burial in Antigua and followed up by being further honoured in Montserrat.
Justice Redhead, a long-standing jurist, who has served
with the sub-region including Montserrat for over thirty-five years, died in
Antigua in March after a period of illness. Claude Gerald, a keen follower of
the workings of the law, told ZJBNews that when one becomes a Judge, one has to
be prepared, to make social sacrifices.
“You
cannot be fraternizing with Tom, Dick and Harry, because you will lose
credibility, and you will compromise the judiciary. A judge does not have
buddies or partners, except perhaps for his colleagues and maybe his family. Because
judgeship is a very hallowed undertaking. So, it’s not about being popular and
being in the center of the red of the egg. A judge becomes a hermit and a
recluse once he accepts judgeship.
“I want to argue here, that it’s only in that light, that a
judge can have the moral courage to do what the law says and make
interpretations that are wholesome and to advance the law. That is what is
essential.”
Mr.
Redhead was given an official funeral by the government of Antigua, which was
popularly broadcasted in the region. The government of Monserrat and the local
bar joined also. But, Mr. Gerald says that despite all the words spoken at his
death, “no one
has uttered a word as to just how his Redhead’s actions helped to grow the law.
“How his decisions have made the law stronger. No one spoke of his integrity and his moral courage. It’s all empty talk about how he was a nice man, how he was my friend and how we got along very well,” he said.
“And, let me tell you this,” he concluded, “in our culture, when a man becomes the friend of an official, that official is expected to do the friends bidding. Justice Albert Redhead lived controversially, and died similarly because of his approach of matters before him.”
Justice Redhead was born in Grenada and studied in London, but, after returning to Grenada, moved on and worked in St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Montserrat for over 30 years. He first served in Montserrat in 1985.
Claude Gerald is a social commentator on Montserrat. Ceegee15@hotmail.com.
