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.
