Politicians have doubts about legality
of Acting Lt. Governor’s appointment
PHILIPSBURG--The recent appointment of Millicent de Weever as Acting Lt. Governor has become a topic of heated political debate, based on the fact that her brother Petrus “Leroy” de Weever is an Island Council member for the Democratic Party (DP).
Members of Parliament had informal discussions all day yesterday on whether the appointment was legal. Examples of similar situations in the past involving Member of Parliament Jopie Abraham and former politician Will Johnson were brought up to point out that the appointment was illegal.
Article 11 of the Islands Regulation of the Netherlands Antilles ERNA states, among other things: “Blood affinity or relationship up to and including the second degree, or wedlock, may not exist between the Lt. Governor and the members of the Island Council or between the members mutually.”
In addition, article 66 states, among other things: “In case of absence, prevention or default, the Lt. Governor shall be substituted by the Acting Lt. Governor who, if possible, shall be designated from the Island Council members.
“Everything that has been stipulated for the Lt. Governor applies to the Acting Lt. Governor, with the exception of the prohibition of being a Member of the Island Council.”
Johnson told The Daily Herald that he had informed the Central Government in 2007 that he would resign as Acting Lt. Governor because his son Chris Johnson would take the oath as member of the Island Council of Saba.
He said he believed that Millicent de Weever too had to resign, because the appointment was against ERNA.
Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards said, however, that there was nothing wrong with the appointment. He said legal advice had been sought before De Weever was appointed, also on the matter of her having a brother who was a member of the Island Council.
