Last Updated on February 15, 2020, 1:00 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas has called for the resignations of St Kitts and Nevis’ Federal Minister of Tourism and International Trade, Hon Lindsay Grant and Culture and Youth Ambassador, Jonel Powell.
A statement Friday expressed concern and alarm by the latest legal developments involving the two public officials in the misappropriation of over EC$1.2 million matter “but continue to operate with impunity.” It called on civil society to speak out.
“Silence is not an option. Silence means consent and will signal an acceptance of such behaviour that would represent a new and unprecedented decline in national standards and expectations for the ethical conduct of elected and appointed public officials. It is therefore imperative that Mr. Grant and Mr. Powell resign immediately from public office and recuse themselves from participating in the upcoming general elections,” the statement said.
The statement noted that on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, a panel of three judges in the Court of Appeal delivered a judgement denying the Honourable Lindsay Grant and H. E. Jonel Powell’s application to set aside the default judgement which was previously entered against them by Justice Eddy J. Ventose on October 28, 2019.
Previously, the October 28, 2019 ruling by Justice Ventose in the civil case Claim No. SKBHCV2017/0391 between Mr. Tanzania Tobin Tanzil (Claimant) and co-defendants, Mr. Grant and Mr. Powell, found them liable for Breach of Trust, Breach of their Fiduciary Duty and Misappropriation of Monies in the amount of US$460,000.00 or EC$1.2 million.
“Thursday, Mr. Grant and Mr. Powell’s application for permission to appeal the ruling was summarily dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The three appellate judges also lifted a stay of the High Court proceedings with serious implications for the two public officials. The judgment of the Court of Appeal greatly impugns the fitness of Mr. Grant and Mr. Powel to continue to serve both as Members of the Bar, and even more so as public figures who presently hold high public office,” the statement said.
It added that in face of the serious nature of the ruling, the Parliamentary Opposition is of the firm view that it would not be fitting for both Mr. Grant and Mr. Powell to continue serving as public officials and they should both resign immediately.
“Therefore, we are seeking the support of all civil society organisations and right-thinking citizens in vociferously demanding the resignation of Mr. Grant and Mr. Powell. Mr. Lindsay F. P. Grant currently serves as Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher 4. Mr. Jonel F. H. Powell, is a political appointee serving as Ambassador-at-Large who advises the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis on Sports and Culture,” the statement continued.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
