Former Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Lelon Saul today said he was pleased that Chief Justice Acting Roxanne George confirmed that his dismissal from the agency was wrongful.
Saul moved to the court after he was dismissed from the post when the governing People’s Progressive Party took office in 2020 by Housing Minister Colin Croal.
At the time of his dismissal Saul had a three-year contract which was terminated with one month’s notice.
Saul, through his attorney Darren Wade, approached the court seeking a judicial review, on the basis that his termination was unlawful and a breach of his contract.
Justice George in her ruling said it was the responsibility of the CH&PA Board to terminate Saul’s contract as the Minister had no such authority to terminate his services, adding that Saul’s service was no longer needed then the minister could have advised the board to take action.
“The termination of Mr. Saul by the Minister was outside of his authority. Therefore, the application to strike out Mr. Saul’s application is refused and his claim that the Minister terminated unlawfully has merit,” Justice George said.
“I am deeply gratified by the ruling of the Chief Justice Madame Roxane George, which has confirmed that my dismissal from the Central Housing and Planning Authority was wrongful. This judgement not only vindicates my position but also reinforces the importance of fairness, due process and the rule of law in our society,” Saul said in a comment.
Saul was replaced at the Central Housing and Planning Authority by Sherwyn Greaves. Greaves has since resigned from the post after information surfaced about properties he acquired in the United States.
There have been calls for an investigation to be launched into the operations of the housing agency.
Greaves, in confirming his resignation, denied being involved in any wrongdoing.