Last Updated on September 22, 2019, 1:05 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Kyss 102.5 FM is reporting that the vehicle of former Prime Minister and current Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas was ordered removed from the convoy by ta “high government official” following the Independence Parade on Thursday September 19th, at Warner Park.
According to Kyss FM News, the personal vehicle, which was occupied by Dr. Douglas and two other opposition parliamentarians, Hon. Marcella Liburd and Hon. Konris Maynard, was ordered to be removed from its fifth-place position in the line up of vehicles, and out of the convoy altogether.
“Information from within the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force reveals that officers were ordered by a high government official, to remove Dr. Douglas’ vehicle from the convoy,” Kyss FM reported.
It noted that traditionally, elected members of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, moreso the Prime Minister and Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, along with the Governor-General, make an appearance in the ceremonial convoy.
It noted however that since 2015, when Dr Douglas became Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, he has had to arrive like ordinary persons invited to attend the ceremonial parade.
“Spectators were up in arms after realising what was done, and protested the act during the ceremony and all through the march as it proceeded from Warner Park to the St. Kitts Defence Force headquarters (at Camp Springfield),” Kyss FM reported.
An outstanding matter, a fallout from the 2018 – 35th Anniversary of Independence – remains outstanding in the Magistrate’s Court and will be reported in another article.
It appears as if the recent call by Superintendent of the Methodist Church in the Nevis Circuit, Rev Bonnie Byron at the Independence State Service at the Charlestown Methodist Church in Nevis, for an end to the practice of nepotism, victimisation and retaliation which have caused fear of speaking among public servants and others in the society, has fallen on deaf ears.
Reflecting on the theme: “Unify, Transform, Enrich: Uplifting Communities for Independence 36,” Rev Byron said: “there can be no true unity, without justice. There can be no transformation of our nation for the better without love, reconciliation, kindness and compassion one for another.”
“Too many decisions have been made along party lines in our nation. Persons should be chosen for job positions according to their qualifications and not according to the party that they support. Our partisan practices have caused too much division, too much conflict among our people and that is not right in the eyes of God. Persons are afraid to speak their minds openly and honestly, less their frankness be rewarded with retaliation and victimization,” Rev Byron said to the congregation which included Governor General Sir Tapley Seaton, Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris and his Cabinet, Federal and Nevis Island Administration parliamentarians.
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.
