BASSEERRE, St. Kitts – AS was anticipated and widely-speculated, the Team Unity Government had initiated the process of having Governor-General His Excellency Sir Edmund Lawrence removed from that post and approval was given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
During the two years leading up to the February 16, 2015 General Elections, the Team Unity alliance had complained about the manner in which Sir Edmund had gone about executing his duties as Head of State. He was accused of showing favoritism to the then ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.
“The Honourable Attorney-General Vincent Byron and I met with Sir Edmund Lawrence yesterday, Monday, May 18, 2015, at Government House to apprise him of the communication dated May 18, 2015 from Buckingham Palace confirming that Her Majesty the Queen had given her approval for the withdrawal of his appointment as the Governor-General of St Kitts and Nevis…,” Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Timothy S. Harris said in a statement.
The correspondence further indicates that Her Majesty has also approved the appointment of Samuel Weymoth Tapley Season as Acting Governor-General of St. Christopher and Nevis.
“The Queen’s formal approval of the request was given on May 14, 2015 and is therefore effective from this date.”
On May 12, 2015, Dr. Harris informed the media that he had been advised by Sir Edmund that he would proceed on leave from that day until May 17, 2015. And consequently recommendation of the appointment of His Excellency Seaton was made by Dr. Harris and granted by instrument.
The traditional Throne Speech delivered by the sitting Governor-General during the commencement ceremony of the Federal Parliament was, accordingly, delivered by His Excellency Seaton.
Dr. Harris, via his speech, thanked Sir Edmund and Lady Lawrence “for their service in the said office. At the same time I bid fond welcome to His Excellency Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton and wish him a most successful tenure. I am certain that he would ennoble the Office by his conduct and behaviour”.
It has been promised that “all of the benefits to which (Sir Edmund) is entitled by law will be paid to him today…”
