Rows erupt over revolving door for Director of Public Prosecution; Williams leaves in November

#Providenciales, October 30, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – There are many people weighing in, both on and off the record about why, already the Turks and Caicos Islands is preparing to hire yet another Director of Public Prosecutions.

Governor, Dr John Freeman was truly irked by a TCI Sun newspaper description of the situation as ‘another failed experiment.’  His Excellency called for a retraction of the piece.

The article, while it does make some bold statements about the now outgoing Jillian Williams who was announced as hired in November 2016, is also unquestionably accurate in its reflection of popular opinion about the turnover rate of DPPs at the five year old office.

First up was Joanne Meloche who had practiced as a public prosecutor for years in the Turks and Caicos before taking the job as the first DPP, however her contract was not renewed. Meloche was said to have not re-applied at the end of her tenure and left the post in February 2015; two years after her appointment.

Two months later, John Masters was hired but quickly became an unpopular and scandalous figure accused of cronyism and of forcing out Turks and Caicos Islanders out of the Office of the DPP.

Masters, was under investigation when he abruptly abandoned the job.  The Governor’s Office advised that John Masters did properly resign the post which he held a mere 15-months.

Jillian Williams, from Trinidad and Tobago will not return once her contract expires at the end of November 2018.  There are many reasons floating around about why, but the Governor claims it was the choice the outgoing DPP.  Williams’ competency has been called into question but the Dr. Freeman says it is ill-health which has motivated the decision of Jillian Williams not to extend her contract.

The Sun Editor believes the Governor is hiding the truth from the public, and penned as much in a subsequent article.

Members of the Public have commented on this revolving door and are now reflecting on trial cases which could have been negatively impacted by the chaos and instability of the Office of the DPP; some are rightly questioning the integrity of the Office of the DPP and say it is a case of bad hiring by those tasked with filling the vacancy.

#MagneticMediaNews

#JillianWilliams

#officeoftheDPP