Former Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, is now an Ambassador at large for Saint Lucia.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre made the announcement at Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Assembly.
He also said Leon had accepted the appointment.
“I’m proud to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that the cabinet of ministers has agreed that this gentleman is of such high value that we’ve appointed him an ambassador at large for the people of Saint Lucia, Mr. Speaker,” Pierre declared to enthusiastic desk-thumping by MPs in the house.
“We cannot allow that talent to go to waste,” Pierre stated regarding the Saint Lucia-born Leon.
After working with the International Monetary Fund for over 20 years, Leon assumed the post of CDB President on May 4, 2021.
However, in January 2024, he was sent on administrative leave with the circumstances surrounding that decision left undisclosed by the bank.
In April 2024, Leon resigned immediately and, through his attorneys, gave the CDB until May 4 “to negotiate an amicable separation”.
Prime Minister Pierre, who has previously spoken out against the treatment Leon received, reiterated his concern during Tuesday’s parliamentary session.
“It was a shame. It was a disgrace – an embarrassment for us to put a global technocrat, a man of such high reputation Mr. Speaker, to put him through what we put him through in the bank over the last few months,” Pierre told the House.
Nevertheless, the Saint Lucia Prime Minister said Saint Lucia would continue working with and supporting the CDB.
“But Saint Lucia hopes that measures are put put in place that would never allow that to happen again. Never. And we say so without fear,” Pierre stated.
At a parliamentary sitting in May this year, the PM had cited a ‘conspiracy’ for ‘Gene’ Leon’s decision to resign as CDB President.
In his remarks then, Pierre voiced Saint Lucia’s full support for Leon’s work at the institution.
He said in parliament on Tuesday that he looked “forward to the services of Ambassador Gene Leon, to serve the people of [Saint Lucia].”
Pip the govt is not your business!!! It’s the people’s!! Don’t just appoint people that you’re close to. You and hillaire need to stop that crap!!
Creating positions and titles for supporters to build political patronage and loyalty!
Like Seriously,
Quote: “he was sent on administrative leave with the circumstances surrounding that decision left undisclosed by the bank”, Unquote. It seems that the St Lucian public should not know the undisclosed reason and yet the gentleman is appointed as an Ambassador. – at -large!!!
An Ambassador-at-large is a diplomat, a secretary, or a minister of the highest rank who is accredited to represent a country and its people internationally. Unlike an ambassador-in-residence, who is usually limited to a country or embassy, the ambassador-at-large is entrusted to operate in several usually neighboring countries, a region or sometimes hold a seat in an international organization like the United Nations and the other international organizations.
How much will he gentleman be paid and who is going to pay him?
Why does a small island like St Lucia need an Ambassador -at – large?
Honorific title
According to international protocol, ambassadors and ambassadors-at-large are officially styled and addressed as His / Her Excellency, or Mister/Madam Ambassador. The title may be abbreviated in official correspondence as H.E.
I JUST DON’T GET IT. WOW!!!
What did he do? Did he process a loan incorrectly for St. Lucia? Does he have integrity? Why was he removed? Is there collusion between the SLP and allied governments? Is the general public being taken for a ride again like the Juffali nonsense as described here: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/mar/22/hammond-criticises-judge-for-stripping-diplomatic-immunity-from-saudi-billionaire .
Is the post necessary? How much will it cost St. Lucia in money and reputation? Remember this:
https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06BRIDGETOWN469_a.html
and yet a diplomatic passport was embarassingly issued.
What has he done?So just like that he is rewarded by you. Suspected he is one of your boys.This has to stop smh
Instead of waiting to see/hear the outcome of the investigation, PJP rushes to make him an ambassador AT LARGE. No word from the government on what he is going to do (help contribute to the banking sector? finance ministry?) and how much he is getting paid (is he getting a free car and house? travel allowance?). I don’t see how this advances our country, or helps us through any of the problems we are experiencing.
Jobs for the boys at the expense of the country. When will this SLP government stop this crap of using tax payers hard earn money with no accountability.
Where is the transparency Pierre promised when he campaign for office?
Umh … “I see”, said the blind man
Let’s talk about ‘transparency’.
Isn’t it the right of the tax payers of the country to be told why ‘he’ was sent on Administrative Leave?
Isn’t it the right of the tax payers to know why the country has more Ambassadors than the minimum wage itself?
Isn’t it the right of the tax payers to know why they are indebted to two further signed contracts for SJH completion?
I want either side supporters to tell me, what does the future of our ‘Simply Beautiful ‘ looks like for your grandchildren or your great grandchildren ?
From where I am sat, it looks ” bleak” and ” discombobulated”.
“…this gentleman is of such high value…”: Measured by what? By whom?
“We cannot allow that talent to go to waste…”: What is he talented in?
“…a global technocrat…”: Please describe in full!
“…a man of such high reputation…”: Reputation derived from what? Measured by whom?
“…forward to the services of Ambassador Gene Leon, to serve the people of [Saint Lucia].”: What are these specific services? How will they benefit ALL the people of St. Lucia?
Like all the party cucks (SLP/UWP) in St. Lucia, Pip debates like a little girl – whiny, insubstantial, hyperbolic!
Mr Leon, please tell the people who are paying your salary what you think is the circumstances surrounding the decision to sent you on administrative leave. According to the PM, a man of such high reputation. You should not accept that position without an explanation. Don’t do that to your people.