BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – YET again, Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has found himself addressing rumours of dissension between himself and another.
Approximately two weeks ago, Dr. Douglas, while at his first press conference for the year, denied that there was contention between himself and the Head of State, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian.
Yesterday (Feb. 7), the Prime Minister was questioned by a caller to his weekly radio programme “Ask the Prime Minister” as to whether or not there is some sort of enmity between he and the Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports; Information Technology, Telecommunications and Posts.
He expressed: “…there is no conflict whatsoever between me and Minister Phillip. I don’t know where people get these kinds of rumours from. I know that it has been out there in the media that there is some problem. There is no conflict whatsoever between myself and Minister Phillip. So I don’t know why people are saying it…”
The caller suggested to Dr. Douglas that although he might not have any conflict with Minister Phillip, the Minister might have issues with him.
He explained that according to his knowledge, “I don’t think he has any issue with me. I spoke to Minister Phillip up to yesterday. Minister Phillip was engaged yesterday in Cabinet as any other time. There doesn’t seem to be any problem with Minister Phillip and myself.”
Dr. Douglas expressed disappointment in the spreading of these rumours which he suggested were “deliberately started to create confusion”.
Other rumours - promulgated mostly via the SKNList – however suggest that Minister Phillip is at odds with his Permanent Secretary, who is alleged to be making decisions without his knowledge or in some instances, overturning the Minister’s decisions.
It is also rumoured that in protest, the Minister missed a number of days’ work. However, these claims are yet unsubstantiated.
