Up Front
There have been rife
reports about a possible major development in the
Government's hierarchy, but Cayman Net News has confirmed that
the ...
AG's Resignation 'Not True'
Attorney General Mr. David Ballantyne has denied reports that he has resigned. "Any rumour to the effect that I have resigned is certainly not true," Mr. Ballantyne told Cayman Net News in a telephone interview.
Attorney General, Mr. David Ballantyne
The Attorney General revealed that over the past few days he heard rumours and reports which indicated that he has resigned.
"I was even asked if I had resigned and I indicated that I have not," Mr. Ballantyne added.
The Attorney General declined to say precisely who asked him if he had resigned, but Cayman Net News understands that reports about Mr. Ballantyne's resignation had even reached the United Kingdom where His Excellency the Governor. Mr. Bruce Dinwiddy is presently on official business.
Mr. Ballantyne, who has been Attorney General since 1998, has two years left in his present contract, but there have been suggestions that he may not serve the full term.
When asked whether he will serve out his full contract, Mr. Ballantyne said: "With all respect, my present contract and my intentions are strictly matters for me, but the point I wish to emphasise is that I have not resigned."
Over the past week, various reasons have been advanced throughout the legal fraternity and government institutions about what could possibly have given rise to speculation about Mr. Ballantyne's future as Attorney General of the Cayman Islands.
There have been reports of strained relations between Mr. Ballantyne and certain Government officials as well as members of the Cayman Bar.
Additionally, Cayman Net News understands that tensions have been mounting with respect to a matter that is under judicial deliberation.
Mr. Ballantyne's responsibilities include overseeing Government's Legal Department, as well as law revision, legislative drafting and the Cayman Islands Law School.
Before accepting the Cayman post, he served as attorney general in Tuvalu, a self-governing member of the British Commonwealth located in the western Pacific Ocean, and in the Turks and Caicos Islands.