THE Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has reserved judgment in a constitutional challenge brought by Trinidad-born gay rights activist Jason Jones against provisions of this country’s Sexual Offences Act that criminalise consensual sexual activity between adults of the same sex.

The decision, which will be delivered at a later date, will determine whether Sections 13 and 16 of the Act, which create the offences of buggery and serious indecency, remain constitutionally protected under the Constitution’s savings law clause.

A five-member panel comprising Lords Reed, Briggs, Sales and Lloyd-Jones, together with Lady Rose, heard submissions yesterday from attorneys representing Jones and the Office of the Attorney General.