The legal battle regarding Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith’s status as an independent Member of Parliament escalated during yesterday’s hearing, where his attorney, Dr. David Dorsett, defended against a challenge brought forth by constituents.
Dorsett argued that the application filed by the constituents lacked the necessary detail on the grounds for their claim. He further criticized the affidavit against his client as fundamentally flawed, describing it as “problematic from root to branch.”
He challenged the legal foundation of the claim, asserting that the plaintiffs had not provided substantial evidence to back their assertions.
Specifically, he pointed out that the affidavit was based on hearsay and personal opinions without concrete proof that Smith had aligned himself with the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party. Consequently, Dorsett moved for the claim, which he deemed “without merit,” to be dismissed.
Representing the constituents, Attorney Sherrie-Ann Bradshaw suggested an alternative course where the court could permit amendments to the claim by incorporating the affidavit’s grounds, and she proposed that costs should be awarded to the defendant instead of dismissing the case outright.
The matter is set for a ruling by Justice Jan Drysdale on Thursday.
This legal dispute arose following Smith’s exit from the United Progressive Party (UPP) in July, after which he continued his role in the Cabinet as an independent MP for All Saints West.
His independent status has been questioned by the UPP, leading to legal action initiated by some of his constituents.
