Former Gros Islet MP Lenard ‘Spider’ Montoute has called out Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre over the retainer sum the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration is paying forensic auditor Robert Lindquist.
Under then Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony, the SLP contracted Lindquist to investigate the Hewanorra International Airport (HIA) Redevelopment Project in 2012.
And Prime Minister Pierre has announced that the investigation into alleged misdeeds by officials of the former United Workers Party (UWP) government would resume.
But at a news conference on Thursday, Lenard Montoute, recalled requesting that Pierre provide the probe’s recommencement cost.
“He did indicate that Mr. Lindquist would be on retainer. If my memory serves me right he said it would cost something in the region of thirty thousand dollars,” the former MP told reporters.
“That is nebulous in itself. What we would like to know – we want definitive statements. We want clear cut statements to let us know exactly what we are dealing with,” Montoute declared.
His comments on the matter appear below:
Some of Montoute’s concerns are valid. The prime minister needs to spell out the finer aspects of the investigation such as costs.
Some of Montoute’s assertions are bs. Most serious investigators will tell a subject do not discuss the matter. So even if the subjects deny getting a visit from the investigator, that falls within the wishes of the investigator. Many times subjects of investigations don’t even know that they are being investigated. Other times the investigator might interview them last. There is a reason for this last tactic. The investigator seeks to hold all the cards during an initial confrontation.
I had the same concern as Montoute. He did mention the $35,000.00 as a retainer. This just does not sound right to me. Pierre is not reporting the right to the people he is working for. Somethings are not adding up with that investigation. Pierre needs to come clean and let the public know how much it would cost to investigate something which has been investigated before and came up with nothing – waste of time and money.
Pierre needs to come out of Campaign mood and act as the leader. Get some policies in place especially when it comes to crimes. The guy is wasting time and money right now.
Is Mr. Montoute Afraid? Did he do something wrong whilst he was in office? Sorry Mr Montoute investigation must be carried out.
PJP be truthful.
For a man who used to preach about transparency and accountability when in opposition, now that he’s in government he’s holding the basic information from us and being secretive about all the issues we the people have the need to know, but remember trust me 5 years is not 50 years.
I will no longer travel to St Lucia if they build this sterile monstrosity of an airport. The current airport has a charm that is a great way to start a vacation. Why can’t it just be expanded a bit? Can’t that money be spent on fixing the roads rather than an ugly airport that will turn away visitors?