-
- “That doesn’t imply any guilt. It emphasises our government’s position of having nothing to hide. No ministerial duties during that time,” Prime Minister Philip J Pierre added: “The minister will not be attending cabinet during this time, so the minister will not be in a position to influence decisions taken in the cabinet.”
By Caribbean News Global 
USA / CANADA – Substantive to what professionals and executives consider moral, ethical, judicial, fundamental principles of institutions and routine decency in the global adeptness of engagement – Richard Frederick is on “administrative leave until further notice,” as announced by Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, at Monday’s pre-cabinet press briefing.
“ This is to ensure that any doubts that may exist about the SSDF are cleared, so we wanted to make sure that the minister was not around, so that the government can’t be accused of hiding anything – so the minister involved has been asked to recuse himself, so he is not going to be in the cabinet during that time.”
“That doesn’t imply any guilt. It emphasises our government’s position of having nothing to hide. No ministerial duties during that time,” Prime Minister Pierre added: “The minister will not be attending cabinet during this time, so the minister will not be in a position to influence decisions taken in the cabinet.
‘Administrative leave until further notice’
Saint Lucia’s democratic system provides for the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judiciary. The executive authority is vested in the Prime Minister. It is sovereign!
Considering the minister, until the August 31 announcement was in the executive branch of government, and now, no new legislation can be introduced in his name. And considering “administrative leave until further notice” – (fit or cleared to return and/or politically necessary) remains the exclusive purview of the prime minister to convert administrative leave to resignation and/or cabinet reshuffle.
-
- Until then, the question remains: subject to the conditions of “administrative leave”: will the minister continue to be paid, receive his allowances and perks?
-
- Are the conditions of “administrative leave fair to other cabinet ministers, who must labour in the people’s interest for their pay?
Prime Minister Pierre’s decision on August 31 became necessary in accordance with the following:
“The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) made a procedural declaration that resonates more profoundly, as a special announcement on July 24, to which Richard Frederick, minister for housing, local government and urban renewal, “has proceeded on annual vacation leave until 27 August 2026.”
The August 31 announcement follows weeks of non-disclosure on an allegation by two individuals, the arrest of then minister Richard Frederick by the Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), his subsequent release, ongoing police investigation and abrupt vacation.
“An allegation was made. We looked into the particular allegation, and the allegation was ‘not sustained,’ said Commissioner of Police Verne Garde, at a press conference, August 19, 2026.
“At any point where any information in regard to the allegation surfaces, because the allegation is one of an indictable nature. That means whether it’s 10 or 20 years from now or 50 years from now, the RSLPF – will still be able to investigate that. But as we stand now – the matter has not been sustained at all,” Commissioner Garde said.
Ongoing monitoring
With a return to the business of governance, that includes “administrative leave until further notice,” Prime Minister Pierre has stated that “This is to ensure that any doubts that may exist about the SSDF are cleared.”
Alongside this is “the matter has not been sustained at all,” to which Prime Minister Pierre was duty-bound to decide if Richard Frederick can continue as a cabinet minister, following vacation leave on August 27.
Contrary to popular propaganda and disinformation, including established local media, friends, and lawyers of associate, sending WhatsApps to CNG, consider the following:
Freedom of conscience
The fundamental is such that business, governance and legal minds understand that this matter has lasting and historic reverberations:
The yet-to-be-disclosed allegation is one of an indictable nature. It has national and global interest. It stands at the social and economic development of Saint Lucia. It speaks to law and order, trust, mistrust and capabilities of the RSLPF and related institutions. The repercussions offer precedent across the sense of what is deemed right and wrong, throughout Saint Lucia.
Facts, due process and fairness are at the crossroads; similarly, a person shall not be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of conscience.
- Preparing for what comes next will emerge in new data, policy and its application. The real challenge is responding when that time arrives.
Understanding St Lucia’s exposure
“Judgement is unto the Lord,” says the good old book. In the rule of law, police and criminal investigators are required to stick strictly to findings of fact and gather evidence to determine if a law was broken. The facts are then presented to a crown prosecutor or judge, who decides the outcome.
Understanding and prioritising this and other exposures includes desirable leverage to address social, economic and institutional obligations, locally and internationally.
– Definition –
[A matter of an “indictable nature” – “indictable offence.”] “A matter.”
“Indictable” is chargeable, punishable, or culpable.
“Indictable” means that an action or crime is serious enough for a person to be officially charged, or indicted, in a court of law.
“Indictable offences (inclusive)”
A matter of an “indictable nature” is a serious crime, a felony, that carries severe and long-term penalties. It does not have a time limit for prosecution.
First-degree and second-degree murder – attempted murder – kidnapping and hostage-taking – treason – aggravated sexual assault. Theft – break and entering – robbery – arson – major fraud – drug trafficking – terrorism – aggravated assault – firearms offences, etc.
Ongoing monitoring
A matter of an “indictable nature” is neither closed, terminated and/or concluded per the statement of any commissioner of police, investigating officer, private investigator, an executive decision of cabinet or the parliament (subject to constitutional amendment).
- A matter of an “indictable nature” can and may be suspended, pending new or undisclosed substantive and correlated information.
- A matter of an “indictable nature” is enshrined in the Criminal Code and Constitution of Saint Lucia, and pursuant to the rules of legal procedure and the court of law.
Police Commissioner Garde is not a judge in a court of law to rule in the understanding of “Sustained” vs. “Overruled.”
An investigating officer, or investigator, cannot make a recommendation and/or make judgement on a file that he is investigating. In the provision of role separation, findings of fact separate neutrality from acting like a judge or executive decision-maker.
St Lucia police say allegation against Richard Frederick ‘not sustained’
Richard Frederick gets a boot from Prime Minister Pierre:
Caribbean News Global (CNG) July 27, 2026, article ‘Richard Frederick’s abrupt vacation makes next steps easier,’ said:
“The die is cast! A “pound of flesh” is sizzling! No word on the preferred juiciness levels of well done, medium or rare! The sound of Donald Trump can be picked up, but preferably shunned – You’re Fired!”
“ The Saint Lucia Development Fund (SSDF) will continue – and we will do what we have to do to ensure that the SSDF continues!”
“ No man will hold me to ransom!”
“ No man will put this country in any position because I want to be prime minister. No, never!”
Alleged correlation?
“There now seems an alleged correlation for referral into “not sustained” and the matter of “SSDF cheques,” said a legal investigator. “And is there anyone from the SSDF on administrative leave considering the allegations,” he asked?
Richard Frederick is on “administrative leave until further notice,” said Prime Minister Pierre. “ This is to ensure that any doubts that may exist about the SSDF are cleared, so we wanted to make sure that the minister was not around ….”
