In a significant judicial development, public servant Celena McDonald has secured a legal victory with the High Court’s ruling that declared two senior government appointments unlawful. The court determined last week that the selection of Debra Alexander-Charles as Clerk of the House of Assembly and Simone Williams-Huggins as Deputy Clerk violated established procedures.
McDonald, who initiated the lawsuit in 2023 with support from the Public Service Union, expressed profound satisfaction with the outcome. The case centered on appointment irregularities within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ parliamentary administration system.
Alexander-Charles, previously a teacher and senator for the ruling Unity Labour Party, had left public service years earlier to pursue political activities before her controversial appointment. Williams-Huggins, while already employed within the House of Assembly, received her promotion through contested procedures.
McDonald emphasized the importance of pursuing proper legal channels rather than seeking validation through social media. “As public servants, we have rights. When encountering unfair practices, we must speak through appropriate mechanisms rather than chasing online popularity,” she stated during a Monday press conference in Kingstown.
The legal journey began when McDonald, after 13 years of parliamentary service from 1998 to 2021, formally complained through official channels without receiving responses. After her written complaints to the Service Commission and chief personnel officer went unacknowledged for a month, she sought union assistance.
Public Service Union President Elroy Boucher connected McDonald with legal representatives Jomo Thomas and Shirlan “Zita” Barnwell, initiating the judicial review process. Acting High Court Judge Cybelle Cenac-Dantes delivered the landmark verdict after previous judicial delays, including the retirement of the originally assigned judge.
McDonald highlighted the case’s broader implications for public sector accountability: “Rules cannot apply selectively while ignoring the other side. Public servants must understand their rights and pursue proper redress mechanisms.”
Celebrating 31 years in public service and union membership, McDonald emphasized the importance of collective representation: “Many workers endure grievances without action. This victory demonstrates that proper channels can achieve justice when pursued diligently.”