CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - AFTER months of an internal rambling and back office decision-making, the Nevis Reformation Party’s (NRP) Disciplinary Committee has taken a decision to expel Cleon Statpleton-Simmonds from the organization.
The Nevis Island Assembly Representative for Constituency Five decided to stand up to her party Leader, Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge, by not supporting her to be the Leader of the Opposition; a decision that prompted swift backlash and internal wrangling within the organization .
Party sources had indicated to SKNVibes News that the decision was expected, explaining that it was not prudent for the Representative to challenge the Leader in such a manner.
The NRP, in its statement issued yesterday (May 2), said the Disciplinary Committee of the Nevis Reformation Party communicated its recommendation regarding Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds to the NRP’s Executive Committee.
“The NRP’s Executive Committee, acting on the advice of the Disciplinary Committee, has moved to expel the Honourable Cleone Stapleton-Simmonds from all institutions of the NRP,” the statement read.
According to NRP, “The decision came as a result of Stapleton-Simmonds' failure to comply with the decision of the Executive Committee for her to support the Honourable Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge, Leader of the Nevis Reformation Party, as Leader of the Opposition in the Nevis Island Assembly.”
But Stapleton-Simmonds told regional media that she was not against supporting Dr. Daniel-Hodge for the position, but wanted some concession and be able to recommend the Senator. But that was not sitting well with those in the NRP camp as they believed the Leader of the Opposition should be the one to select the Senator.
Many believed that the matter should have been resolved internally before the dirty laundry was brought to the public.
This matter has resulted in there being no Leader of the Opposition within the Nevis Island Assembly, and funds are being withdrawn to the pay rent for the officie of the Opposition Leader on the island.
