The Reverend Nicholas Tweed has won the legal battle against the decision of the Minister of Home Affairs to refuse to grant his work permit.
Chief Justice Ian Kawaley quashed Home Affairs Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin’s determination that Reverend Tweed should settle his affairs and leave Bermuda, saying it “breached the rules of natural justice” because he was not given a chance to make representations before the final decision was made.
He ordered the matter be referred to the Minister “to be dealt with in accordance with the law”, although he stated it would be “desirable” for the Minster to act on the advice of the Board of Immigration and “allow the board to make the substantive decision”.
Additionally, the Bermuda Government has been ordered to pay court costs.
The denial of Reverend Tweed’s work permit prompted demonstrations last year: the pastor had his renewal turned down on October 21, with a subsequent decision on December 28 not to allow an appeal.
Due to the ongoing nature of the legal proceedings, Rev. Tweed declined to comment but asked for continued prayers from the Connectional AME Church.
(With reporting from the Royal Gazette and BEnews.com)
An earlier article from The Christian Recorder
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