Dear Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre
I write to express my profound concern about your inaction regarding the serious allegations against minister Richard Frederick.
The public has been made aware of allegations of sexual misconduct, misuse of public funds, and abuse of public office and authority, along with the reported detention of Frederick by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force in connection with those investigations.
Whilst we as citizens must await the final outcome before drawing any conclusions, matters of this gravity demand an immediate and decisive response from the head of government.
You should not need to be reminded that public office carries responsibilities and standards that extend beyond the parameters set by criminal law. Ministers are required to maintain the confidence of the public and preserve the integrity of the offices they hold. A minister who is the subject of allegations of this magnitude cannot credibly continue to exercise the authority of the state while investigations remain ongoing. His continued presence in cabinet creates an unavoidable perception of conflict, undermines public confidence in the impartiality of the investigative process, and erodes trust in the institutions of government.
The issue before you is one of ministerial accountability and political responsibility. The office of prime minister carries the constitutional responsibility to ensure that government is conducted in a manner that protects the integrity of public office and the reputation of Saint Lucia.
Our international reputation has already been severely damaged by the CIP scandal and its fallout, the most egregious effect being major restrictions on our people’s ability to travel freely to the US, the UK, and Europe — a costly consequence you were warned about and failed to act upon.
At this critical juncture, with our country continuing to appear on undesirable international lists, we can ill afford further scandal — least of all one rooted in allegations of such flagrant corruption. The continued retention of minister Frederick in your cabinet is causing serious damage not only to the credibility of your administration, but to the reputation of our country as a whole.
Our citizens expect that action will be taken, and taken quickly. Your usual head-in-the-sand approach to serious issues has produced disastrous consequences for Saint Lucia, and any further delay will necessarily raise legitimate questions about your own commitment to good governance.
The appropriate course of action is clear. Richard Frederick must be removed forthwith from his ministerial post, pending the completion of all investigations. The people of Saint Lucia deserve a government that places integrity above politics, accountability above expediency, and the national interest above self-preservation. Saint Lucians deserve nothing less.
Yours sincerely,
Leader of the Opposition
Allen M. Chastanet