Levers not facing deportation
(CNS): Despite what the former Grand Court judge has described as misleading headlines in the local press, Priya Levers told CNS on Friday that she was not being asked to leave the country by immigration. Having previously been on a government contract, Levers has had her immigration position addressed and has been given a reasonable period of time to get her affairs in order and decide what she will do next. Levers was removed from the bench by the governor last week following the Privy Council’s ruling, effectively terminating her employment. However, Levers, in accordance with the immigration law, is in a position to remain on island as a visitor.
“I see that Brent Fuller is a fan of mine,” Levers said in regard to the story on the website of The Caymanian Compass. “However, the headline is rather misleading. The immigration department has treated me in accordance with the law as well as with courtesy and I have been given sufficient time to address my personal affairs and to consider my future.”
Levers, who has a home here in the Cayman Islands, one in Jamaica and one in her native Sri Lanka, said she has many things to consider at present, not least the very recent death of her brother.
“I have recently lost my brother in Sri Lanka but because of the tribunal I have been unable to properly grieve and deal with his affairs, but now I shall be turning my attention to that before I make any decisions about my own future,” she stated, adding that she had faced a long ordeal and now had many things to consider.
Check back to CNS on Tuesday when the former judge talks candidly about the impact of the tribunal and the findings of the Privy Council.
Category: Local News
My condolenses Mrs. Levers to you and your Family at this time of loss, and especially during such a difficult time in your own personal life,
May God give you the strength you need to endure all that you are facing right now, you have been judged by man;
but yet they know not what you bear, forgiveness is not in their hearts as it should be, we are all humans and will make mistakesin our lives, I asked that the people of these islands remember the good that you have done for many here not only the bad.
OK so i dont get how this is any different from the compass article…all the article said was that Levers "will eventually have to leave the island". Absolutely nothing incorrect in that statement. It even says that there was no specific timeline given!
The article also quotes immigration officials while this simply quotes levers…hmmm….dont get why everyone is jumping on the compass all of a sudden when the article was factual.
This is different from the Compass article because of semantics… Levers is now a visitor! Would you say that every tourist on Island is facing a deportation order from the Immigration Department?! No… and neither is Priya Levers!
The Compass article is titled "Ex-judge Levers must depart, immigration says" which suggests that Levers is being deported! This is simply not the case…
I wonder what will qualify her to remain beyond the one month usually allowed people who have lived and worked here for extended periods. I am neither a fan nor foe of Levers, I don’t know the woman, however, many would find it unfair if she is awarded additional time beyond the norm and if this should happen then the Chief Immigration Officer should inform the rest ofus as to why her case is different. I hope it won’t be because she is a judge.
I’m sure she was granted more time to get her affairs in order. Most professionals are given additional time to sort themselves out beyond the 1 month especially in a situation like that where she owns a home here, was unaware her contract was coming to an end etc.
I stand to be corrected on this but if she apply for employment in the private sector and immigration grants her work permit, then she has another 7 years to go because the time she spent under government contract is not counted.
Good luck with that. Which firm isgoing to want to hire a defrocked judge who apparently pissed off everyone in the courthouse?
everyone? or mainly Canadian courthouse employees and foreign women with kids with Caymanian men? who really did she upset???
I am surprised that the " Compass " has resorted to sensationalism like the " Enquirer " etc. to sell newspapers. Time they become a tabloid magazine.
As far as Justice Levers, she has not committed a criminal offence. It is a interpretation of her statements in court which the Privy Council felt inappropriate.
I wonder why the same rules were not applied to recent judges./ Magistrates who sat in our courts. There statements were outrageous when compared to what this Judge is supposed to have said.
I agree with the stand ogf the Immigration Dept to treat her no differently from others who had lost their jobs.
XXXXX
The Compass’ story referred to here (Immigration: Levers must depart) was distastefull. Its none of the public’s business when or if she will leave the island. This is her personal life – the tribunal and reporting on was and should be limited to that which is in the public arena – her position as CI Grand Court Judge. Full stop.
I wish Justice Levers all the best, and can’t wait to see what she does next. I hope that the powers that be will utilize her in one of the many areas which Cayman needs guidance and raised standards.
Legal Aid, family support, or at least in one of the Law firms which will provide sound inexpensive guidance for the many who need it while some people need time to digest a little "crow".
To many she remains, Madam Justice Levers (opinions and all; reproached only for a big mouth but not faulty judgments), and the courts remain a shame right down to their excuseable audit! People seem to forget TIME tells on us all!!
I totally agree! "Time tells us all…" This woman unfortuanately thought she was above the law and everyone that came before her she consistently belittled. I was unfortunate enough to sit on a jury in which she was the judge and can honestly say it was downright embarrassing and dispictable the way the woman acted and spoke. The majority of us could only sit in awe.
XXXX
As so many of you are saying "good riddance" to this lady it is a wonder why you so be bothered or interested where she is doing. She does have a life outside of this place and a husband so I am sure she will find solace with them and have a wonderful retirement if that is what she choses to do. May God Bless her and may she enjoy whatever she decides.
I’m sorry although I agree she has a nice retirement as anyone deserves to have, there is the small matter of collecting a salary during the investigations for doing nothing, the substantial salary collected while not performing her job to the fullest, and the pension benefits accrued during that time. Enjoy your retirement Ms. Levers.
But why should it be on our dime?
Poor Compass – they will soon run a retraction.
CayCompass states: "Former Cayman Islands Grand Court Justice Priya Levers must leave the country following her recent dismissal from the bench, Immigration Department officials confirmed late Thursday."
CNS: CayCompass is wrong.
Deportation from the Islands are dealt with by the Governor in Cabinet. Ms Leyers I suspect, is leaving the Islands like any other foreign national who lost their job.
We must remember that she has done nothing wrong in the eyes of the Law. She lost her job that’s it. Immigration is treating her accordingly.
Has Immigration given Lever’s special treatment. Several friends were made redundant in the last year and were only allowed a 2 week extension (this allowed them 4 weeks) and then had to leave the island. XXXXX