Attorney-at-law Jaundy Martin was sworn in on Friday as Attorney General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines for a second time, replacing Grenville Williams, who is expected to be formally nominated on Monday as a candidate in the November 27 general election.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Government House and presided over by Governor General Dame Susan Dougan.
Martin previously served as Attorney General for five years before demitting office on November 4, 2022. He is expected to serve in the role only until a new Attorney General is appointed following the election.
During his previous tenure, Martin held the office when Cabinet imposed the COVID-19 vaccine mandate in November 2021, which led to hundreds of public sector workers losing their jobs for refusing vaccination. While the public sector union initially won a legal challenge in the High Court, the ruling was later overturned by the Court of Appeal.
Next week, the appellate court will hear arguments on whether the dispute should be sent to the London-based Privy Council, SVG’s highest court, for final determination.
Williams, who assumed the post of Attorney General on November 4, 2022, is stepping down as he seeks elected office for the first time. He will contest the upcoming poll as a candidate for the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP), facing the New Democratic Party’s Nigel ‘Nature’ Stephenson, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term.
The ULP is aiming to secure an unprecedented sixth straight term in office, having last won the general election in 2020.