IS there any day when well known columnist Freddie Kissoon is not in the news? Never!  He always has something to say about the PPP/C government that he hates, particularly for the many successful socio-economic interventions on behalf of the people that it serves. In fact, these initiatives run counter to the campaign of vilification that he has been helping to lead against the government.

But here this piece is not about his daily rants and raves. Instead, it is about the social activist and political analyst, in full and blatant disregard for the rules of the court, during his cross examination by senior counsel, in the current libel suit brought against him and editor Adam Harris, of the Kaieteur News. In a display that was vintage arrogance a la Kissoon, he refuses to answer in a straightforward manner, questions asked of him.
As everyone must know, a witness of the stand is obliged to answer in a straightforward manner all questions he/she may be asked. But in this columnist’s instance he not only refused, but arrogated to himself the right to determine which questions he must answer, in addition to advising the counsel which question is relevant or not. Such is not his responsibility or role. He overstepped his brief.
Surely it has to be unprecedented in the history of the local judicial system, where such an instance occurred. This view is supported by comments from the presiding judge, who said “that in all his years in court he never faced such a situation.” This forced an adjournment, with the judge threatening “drastic steps” against Kissoon if he does not answer directly.
Undoubtedly, this was arrogance and disrespect on the part of Kissoon, who showed a defined disrespect for the law.