Tawanna Wedderburn Takes Legal Action
The former CEO of the Bermuda Health Council Tawanna Wedderburn has confirmed that she will be taking legal action over her ‘separation’ from the Council.
In December of last year, the Bermuda Health Council confirmed the “separation of employment” between the Council and Mrs Wedderburn.
Mrs Wedderburn said, “On 11th March 2019 I formally asked the Supreme Court for permission to bring judicial review proceedings against four parties.
“They are: Hon David Burt, Premier of Bermuda; Hon Kim Wilson, Minister of Health; the BHeC; and practicing physician Dr. Alicia Stovell-Washington, Chairperson of the BHeC.”
Mrs. Wedderburn added, “Here is what has happened so far: On 7th December 2018, I was terminated from my position as CEO of the Bermuda Health Council [BHeC]. On 14th December 2018 questions were raised in the House of Assembly about my reported ‘separation.’
“The week of 28th January 2019 there were a series of press releases from the BHeC and the Ministry defending their respective positions on the matter.
“Since this all began, I have been bombarded on the streets of Bermuda with well wishes and enquiries about ‘the real story’. My email box is overflowing with encouraging messages from as far away as the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. Social media is rife with speculation about the political undertones of the case and who is really behind it. All this time, I have been silent. Until now.”
Mrs. Wedderburn concluded, “I ask everyone in Bermuda to watch the process and take an interest in how these matters unfold as I defer to our judicial system. I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone for their support and encouragement; it has given me the strength, focus and courage to get to this point. May we all benefit from the result.”
Back in January, a lawyer acting for the Bermuda Health Council said, “The former CEO’s employment was terminated lawfully by the Council in full compliance with section 18[1][b] of the Employment Act 2000, the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004, and her contract of employment which calls for 1-month notice of termination.
“She was paid her notice and, as Ms. Wedderburn has disclosed to the press, in good faith she was offered 6 months’ pay [the maximum payable under the Employment Act 2000] plus extended benefits.
“The Council is prepared to robustly defend any legal proceedings that the former CEO may wish to bring in relation to the separation process which was lawful throughout.”
