On Friday, the New Amsterdam High Court decided that the suspension of Carol Trim-Bagot, an elected representative of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to the New Amsterdam Town Council, was unconstitutional.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Nigel Niles, effectively invalidates the suspension imposed by the Mayor of New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh, and the town’s council.
Trim-Bagot had been suspended from her duties earlier this year due to allegations of misconduct that occurred outside the official sessions of the Town Council.
However, Judge Niles determined that the suspension exceeded the Mayor’s authority, describing the action as “ultra vires,” meaning it was beyond the legal powers vested in the Mayor and the council.
In his judgment, Judge Niles emphasized that according to the governing regulations of the Town Council, any disciplinary action against a councillor could only be taken in relation to behaviour observed during official meetings.
Since Trim-Bagot’s alleged conduct occurred outside these formal sessions, the court concluded that the suspension was legally invalid.
As part of the ruling, the Mayor and the Town Council were ordered to pay legal costs amounting to $50,000 to Trim-Bagot, to be settled within three months.
The suspension of Trim-Bagot by the Mayor and the Town Council had sparked a heated debate and drawn attention to underlying tensions within the local government.
Trim-Bagot has been outspoken in her criticism of the Mayor and his leadership style.
At a press conference held in response to her suspension, Trim-Bagot described the move as an attack on democracy.
The councillor went on to accuse Mayor McIntosh of bullying tactics and overstepping his official powers, alleging that the Mayor’s actions were part of a larger effort to stifle her.
In addition to financial irregularities, Trim-Bagot alleged cronyism within the council, pointing to a list of lands purportedly linked to the families and friends of current councillors.
She criticized the Mayor and other council members for allegedly using their positions for personal gain, further eroding public trust in the council’s integrity.
