UPDATE: 05:15PM
On Thursday October 6, 2022, prime minister and minister for national security Philip J. Pierre learned that the president of the senate Stanley Felix was taken into custody to assist with an ongoing police investigation.
The prime minister is awaiting further information on the issue and will make a
statement at the appropriate time.
Source: Office of the prime minister.
By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – Reportedly, from a sound authority, an attorney-at-law and senior member of the senate in Saint Lucia, is in the guardianship of the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), apparently facing charges related to “perverting the course of justice.”
(The attorney and member of the senate name is withheld awaiting the charge sheet.)
St Lucia police officer down in the peril of national security
Earlier today one local media reported that an arrest has been made in connection with the March 5, 2022, fatal shooting of an off-duty police officer. A second report headlined: “Prominent attorney arrested, perverting justice charge expected”, stating – “a prominent attorney was arrested earlier today and currently remains in police custody.”
However, given the high profile of the said masculine attorney, the importance of the governance of the senate and the country, the secrecy of public information complies with the secret code of fraternity.
Confirmation by persons in authority is hesitant to be on the record to deny and/or confirm the status of this developing story for the obvious purpose of the presumable “high-level member of the senate” and the “cumulative effect on credibility and confidence to govern” both of which will be stinging.
Notable the attorney was a former minister of government, and an unsuccessful candidate for the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) in 2016. A further attempt in 2021 was dead in the water facing a more formidable candidate.
The matter of crime, criminality and lawlessness has been a staple in Saint Lucia. The RSLPF is under constant pressure to break the cycle of violence and lawlessness. In addition, it is a public secret of the immense concern “that there are criminals in the government of Saint Lucia.”
Operation Restore Confidence (ORC) suggests that “the crime problem in Saint Lucia is facilitated by corrupt politicians/government officials, business persons and police officers.” Kenny Anthony added, “We cannot continue in a situation where we are viewed as a pariah state by our partners in the fight against crime and lawlessness.”
Today, Saint Lucians are none the wiser, awaiting confirmation and substance, via an official statement from the government and law enforcement. Thus, in the absence of the freedom of information act and ratification, leaks from within are as good as ever.
The moral compass points to a resignation in the senate of Saint Lucia, notwithstanding the legal presumption of innocence and the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia, revised edition 2005, section 376.
