Last Updated on August 30, 2019, 3:08 AM AST by Anthony Morris
In an attempt to stop him from handing over documents related to the stem cell scandal to Opposition leader Dr Denzil L Douglas, the St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris has moved to the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.
An August 2 deadline was given to PM Harris by Justice Eddy Ventose to provide Dr Douglas with several documents including the letter authorizing the St Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine to start up business, a list of medical personnel who worked on the project, certified copies of decisions of the Cabinet, evidence that the umbilical cord blood or blood samples were procured by reputable international cord blood banks and the customs declaration forms.
Dr Douglas said that he understands that Dr Harris did ask for a stay of the judgment and has appealed the judgment and for the appeal to be heard quickly. “I now understand that the appeal of that decision would be heard all the way down in September, close to the end of September. I believe Dr Harris is trying his very best not to hand over, hoping that he would call the election before that and that he would want a further delay so that he can call the elections,” said Dr Douglas.
The Stem Cell matter went to court after Dr Harris took action against Dr Douglas claiming that he was libeled in a speech on 22 June 2016.
Dr Douglas in an amended defence on 5 December 2016 claimed that the words to which Dr Harris had complained of “were fair comment based on qualified privilege.”
Seeking access to several documents from Dr Harris, On 6 March 2019, Dr Douglas moved the court. Following a hearing on 29 June 2019, Justice Ventose in a 22 July 2019 ruling granted Dr Douglas’ application and ordered Prime Minister Harris to disclosure the following documents:
(1) – The letter regarding the authorization of business activity for the St Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd issued prior to 16 May 2016 and to which reference is made in the letter to the Director of the St. Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd dated 16 May 2016;
(2) A certified true copy of any decisions taken by Cabinet at its meeting dated 4 May 2016 in relation to the St. Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd;
(3) The public relations campaign package provided to the Cabinet and or Ministry of Health and or Government “re: the launch and press conference for the “new venture as per the commitment given by Mr. Kevin Klein and or St. Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd”
(4) Proof that the said public relations campaign package of St. Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd. was executed prior to the commencement of the regenerative project;
(5) A copy of the submission of the St. Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd.’s comprehensive business plan including its financing plan as requested by the letter of the 16 May 2017
(6) A certified true copy of any decisions taken by Cabinet at any meeting held in respect of the confirmation that the St. Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd complied with all of the requirements listed in the letter of the 16 May 2017;
(7) A list of all medical personnel that worked on the regenerative project and certified copies of their registration with the Medical Board at the time they worked on the regenerative project;
(8) A copy of the Custom and Excise declaration forms to confirm that the material used in the regenerative project consisted of umbilical cord blood or cord blood plasma samples which were procured from reputable international cord blood banks located in countries like Brazil;
(9) The documentary proof provided by the St Kitts Institute for Regenerative Medicine Ltd. to confirm that the raw materials to be used in the regenerative project were procured from reputable international cord blood banks; and
(10) Proof that the patients used in this regenerative project were granted access to the hospital using the normal admission protocols of the hospital and that the company and its employees or patients were not entering or accessing the premises of the Hospital via private access.
Justice Ventose also ordered that names of the patients be redacted from the documents provided.
He also ordered Dr Harris to pay Dr Douglas the sum of $1500.
Dr Douglas was represented by Mr Sylvester Anthony and Mrs Angelina Gracy Sookoo-Bobb. Dr Harris was represented by Mr Dane Hamilton QC and Mr Victor Elliott Hamilton.
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.
