Dear Sir,

When England established a colony in Bermuda almost 400 years ago it put in place a Westminster form of legislature and an independent judiciary with the Governor as head of the executive and assumed responsibility for ensuring that the colony would be well governed. It has been this assurance that has enabled Bermuda to enjoy peace and prosperity throughout its history and which gave confidence in Bermuda to the international community during the past century as a jurisdiction for the development of our tourist and international business economy.

The keystone of any democracy is the independence of the judiciary from executive and legislative interference ? commonly called the separation of powers ? and any decision to appoint a judge should not be made or influenced by any member of either the executive or the legislature.

When the Chief Justice tendered his resignation a few months ago the Governor consulted with the Premier and Leader of the Opposition and appointed an advisory committee to assist him in appointing a successor Chief Justice. Bermuda is lucky that a person of the calibre of Justice Richard Ground is interested in the position and the decision to appoint him will be welcomed by all right thinking people.

In so far as the Governor advisory committee supported this decision they are to be congratulated and there is great merit in having such a committee becoming a permanent body to advise the Governor not only in the appointment of the Chief Justice but also all other judicial positions falling within the responsibilities.

Obviously no member of either the Legislature or the Executive would be eligible to serve on the committee. The behaviour of the Premier in this matter has been embarrassing. He was accorded the courtesy of expressing his opinion in confidence when consulted by the Governor but for him to have tried to pressure the Governor by going to the media and to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and to have written a petulant letter to Mr. Bill Rammel displays an appalling ignorance as to what his function is. He is new in the position and we can hope he will improve with time and experience.