Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

The controversy over the selection of Professor Stephen Vasciannie to the post of Solicitor General deepened yesterday with reports emerging that Prime Minister Bruce Golding had asked the Governor-General to dissolve the Public Service Commission (PSC), which had recommended Vasciannie's appointment.

Reacting yesterday to Golding's purported action, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller described the matter as "troubling", pointing out that the Prime Minister had not consulted her, as outlined in the Jamaica Constitution, before asking the Governor-General to take action against the PSC.

Under Section 124 (5) of the Constitution, the Prime Minister is required to consult with the Opposition Leader before making a recommendation to the Governor-General that a member of the PSC be discharged.

Cites misconduct

It is reported that the Prime Minister has requested the dismissal of the members of the PSC on the grounds of misconduct. The nature of the misconduct the members have been alleged to commit is not clear, but in recent weeks, the PSC and the Government have been at odds over the recommendation to appoint Vasciannie, a University of the West Indies professor, as Solicitor General. The Government has stated clearly that it is dissatisfied with the recommendation, but the PSC says its position is final.

In her statement yesterday, Simpson Miller said, like all other members of the public, she would like to be advised of the alleged misconduct of the members of the Public Service Commission, all of whom are widely held to be men and women of sterling character.

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne yesterday told the Sunday Gleaner: "I do not wish to comment."