BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS anticipated by the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, the Government’s Town Hall Meeting which was held in Cayon last evening (Nov. 1) was disrupted by People’s Action Movement candidate and Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Eight, the Hon. Eugene Hamilton.
During yesterday’s Parliament session, Dr. Douglas informed that, according to information he received from the armed forces, a plan was afoot to interrupt the meeting that evening but only time would tell if it was indeed conceived and or executed.
The meeting began sometime after the scheduled time with a presentation by Dr. Douglas, which was followed with another by Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNANB) – Linkoln Maynard.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development Hillary Hazel also made a presentation.
Just as Dr. Douglas’ entrance was greeted with applause, so was that Hamilton – who arrived there sometime after 9:00 p.m.
A young lady – who stood in the back of the room – was given the opportunity by Dr. Douglas to ask the first question and, having received the microphone, she indicated that she wished to concede to her Parliamentary Representative, Hamilton. She then proceeded to take the amplification device to him.
With cheers emanating from the lips of some and jeers from others, the crowd was asked by Dr. Douglas to “simmer down” and Hamilton was granted the opportunity to speak.
“I believe that as the Parliamentary Representative for this Constituency, I deserve more than a question…,” Hamilton expressed.
He continued his presentation for but a few more words before his microphone was apparently turned off while Dr. Douglas instructed him to abide by the rules and ask his question.
“If I can’t address this, the meeting will end! If I can’t ask my question, this meeting ends,” Hamilton shouted into the microphone – which was apparently switched back on - before making an attempt to leave with it.
As he progressed towards the back of the room, Dr. Douglas was asking for the microphone to be taken from him.
While about midway, Hamilton was chucked by a female member of the crowd and, shortly after, he continued with his attempt to leave the building – still bearing the microphone.
A crowd surrounded him, some apparently trying to ensure that he left the meeting unharmed and others apparently endeavouring to get to him.
While on the outside, SKNVibes spoke with Hamilton, who was passionate in expressing his view that he should have been given the opportunity to ask more than two questions as he is the Parliamentary Representative of Constituency Number Eight.
“I am the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Number Eight. I defeated Cedric Liburd. I got 2 017 votes! Nobody else in the history of this country has ever gotten 2 000 votes… I was not invited in my own Constituency to a government meeting and I can’t come to a government meeting and not be allowed to address issues for my constituents.They ought to be lucky they could get to hold a town hall meeting here today.”
Denying claims made by the Prime Minister about a plan by PAM to disrupt the meeting, Hamilton indicated that if there were such a plan, the meeting would not have been held. He said the PM’s information is inaccurate and he labelled him “a proven liar”.
“If PAM had a plan to disrupt the meeting I would not have been here. I came in good faith to represent my constituents. If PAM had a plan to upset the meeting there would have been no meeting, there would have been no meeting. There was no plan to disrupt the meeting. I came here in good faith, you saw me sitting in front very quietly, not even disturbing, making no noise at all until when I came to speak everybody want to make noise (that) I must not be able to speak…”
“The Prime Minister’s information is inaccurate. The Prime Minister is a liar! He is a proven liar!”
Hamilton opted not to re-enter the meeting and despite the disturbance, the town hall meeting continued to a successful end.
