Having won his constitutional matter against the government on Monday, Suspended Senior Customs Officer and Accountant at Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise, Leon Natta-Nelson tells Freedom FM he will now be challenging his suspension, which was based on the same sections of the Public Service Act that the judge ruled are unconstitutional.
Natta was suspended from duty in October 2018 for allegedly breaching Public Service Act Statutory Rules 36 and 38 which prohibit civil servants from participating in political activity, holding office in a political organisation and contesting a general election.
As a result, he was also facing disciplinary charges brought against him by the Office of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris on the basis that he had been actively involved with a political organisation, having introduced himself to a constituent as a political candidate.
Natta told Freedom FM that the court victory meant the government’s suspension and disciplinary charges now have no merit.
“The next step after winning the court matter is my legal team will now have to go and respond to those charges that were brought against me. They would have to say now to the Office of the Prime Minister the court has decided on this matter, you need to drop your charges against Mr. Natta. It’s as simple as that, as the court decision has already come down and said the Constitution is the highest law of the land and Articles 36 and 38 [of the Public Service Act] for which I was charged, are null and void.”
On Monday High Court Judge His Honor Eddy Ventose ruled that that the restrictions imposed by the Public Service Act Statutory Rules 36 and 38 are unconstitutional.
The precedent-setting ruling now clears the way for civil servants to engaged in political activities and run for office.
Natta said this ruling will allow government employees to exercise their constitutional right to fully support any political party they wish without fear of victimization.
Natta has since declared he fully intends to take up the mantle of leadership in Constituency #7 as a candidate for the Opposition St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party. He will be challenging the incumbent Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, of the people’s Labour Party.