Prime Minister Gaston Browne has alleged that some lawyers maintain personal relationships with judges that allow them to exert influence over members of the judiciary.

Speaking Saturday on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne claimed that lawyers visit the homes of certain judges and consume alcohol with them.

“Lawyers go to certain judges’ houses and so on, and they drink up their rum, their whiskey, and the lawyers are able to influence them to some extent,” Browne said.

The prime minister did not identify any of the lawyers or judges involved or provide evidence supporting the allegation during the programme.

His comments came amid his continuing criticism of sentences imposed for sexual and firearm offences in Antigua and Barbuda. Browne has accused some judicial officers of being too lenient and has called for sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crimes.

He said the government intends to introduce minimum sentences for certain offences when Parliament meets in October.

Browne has maintained that his criticism is not intended to interfere with individual cases but to pressure the justice system to impose tougher and more proportionate sentences.

Source: Antigua News Room PM Says Some Lawyers Visit Judges’ Homes to Drink Rum.