There was debate as a letter from Cabinet Minister George “Maggie” Angene supporting a man seeking an application for partial removal of disqualification of his driver licence was presented at the Criminal Court.

Terry Rangi, who is the chief executive of Minister Angene’s Support Office, appeared before Justice of the Peace Georgina Keenan-Williams on Thursday when the police prosecutor raised concerns.

Lawyer Mark Short said Rangi was involved in setting up a business, a night market, and needed an extension in hours.

“The request is for just about 24 hours, there needs to be some indication about what he is doing,” the police prosecutor said.

“It is just really about tidying up applications.

“It will be setting a precedent for other applications; we are aware he works in Government but anything after that we are opposing.”

The court heard Rangi wanted driving hours across seven days a week.

Short said he had a problem with what the police prosecutor said.

“I have had applications for people with three jobs, he needs to launch the business in September; a lot of work has been invested in trying to get it set up.”

“Monday to Friday is not a problem, the problem is the weekend,” JP Keenan-Williams said.

Rangi said the reason for the request “is more for the minister”.

“He does not bother me on Sundays, but Monday to Saturday, we are planning to launch a night market on Friday and Saturday.”

JP Keenan-Williams made an order for Rangi to be allowed to drive between 6am and 11pm between Monday and Saturday, and then asked Short to amend the orders for her to sign.