The United Workers Party (UWP) is asking whether the public has been told the full story about why Housing Minister Richard Frederick was suddenly placed on administrative leave, as questions continue about the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced on Monday that Frederick would step away from Cabinet and his ministerial duties “until further notice”, saying the move was intended to ensure transparency and remove any suggestion that the minister could influence the process surrounding the SSDF. Pierre also made it clear that the decision should not be seen as an admission of guilt on Frederick’s part.
But the opposition is not buying that explanation, suggesting there may be more behind Frederick’s leave than the Prime Minister has revealed.
For that reason, UWP member Titus Preville on Tuesday called for the Prime Minister to “launch a formal independent investigation into the SSDF”.
“We ask that the investigation should be conducted by a team of investigators with the requisite experience, independence and capacity,” Preville told a UWP press conference.
He said the investigation should not be conducted in “secret”, and called for its terms of reference, particularly its scope, to be made public.
To help with the process, Preville asked for the SSDF’s Executive Director and board to step aside.
He descibed the request as a “normal expectation” in situations like this. Drawing on a similar argument to the one Pierre used in sending Frederick on administrative leave, Preville said removing the board and Executive Director would avoid any suggestion that they could influence the investigation.
The UWP is also proposing that both the Government and Leader of the Opposition should help decide the terms of reference for any independent investigation.
It wasn’t him AI made an accounting error he can return to work now folks there is nothing to worry about as usual
Only now you all know about investigation, there were so many accusations when your party was in office. How many investigations, did your former government conducted.
Hungry for power, wait until, 2030
Senior really. When will we put country before party or country before greedy hungry politicians. Don’t you think the allegations against the Minister justifies a forensic investigation. We talking about the country’s money being mismanaged. The only way to prove the Minister’s innocence or guilt is to have an independent inquiry. Other than that it will be the same ole just as with previous governments.