BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “LET me say without any doubt whatsoever, there is no contentious issue between myself and His Excellency the Governor-General...none whatsoever.”
These are the words of St. Kitts-Nevis’ Prime Minister the Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas concerning rumours that have been circulating over the past weeks about a strained relationship between the leader of the country and the Head of State.
The issue was broached yesterday (Jan. 25) at the Prime Minister’s press conference – first for the year – by a media representative who asked Dr. Douglas to “put the matter to rest” and indicate whether or not the rumours were true.
The rumours began circulating on the SKNList (an email blog) and spread to radio talk shows and implied that His Excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian and Dr. Douglas were at odds with each other because the former was asked by the latter to proceed on one year’s leave which would be followed by retirement.
The rumours further suggest that His Excellency was not accepting that decision and had engaged in verbal protest.
Having been asked by the media about the rumoured “contentious issue”, Dr. Douglas suggested that the press conference was not the place where such issues are to be addressed.
“…I am sure you understand investigative journalism and so this is not the place to practice that at all, not in a press conference…”
Nonetheless, Dr. Douglas went on to speak of the sterling relationship which both men have maintained over the past 16 years.
“His Excellency has been serving as Governor- General for the last 16 years. He has served with distinction and during those 16 years we’ve never ever had an issue…never. And so I don’t see why there is going to be an issue now.
“It is so unfortunate that persons who are so much bent on creating confusion in this country would try to drag his Excellency the Governor-General into all kinds of nasty discussions on radio talk shows simply because they would want to create a particular picture in the country at this time. It’s very unfortunate.”
Having said all of that, Dr. Douglas indicated that he does not make a habit of commenting on rumours and noted that he would not become involved in such an activity.
“The Governor General and myself, as Prime Minister, we are not in any contentious issue whatsoever and so those are things I don’t comment upon. I don’t comment on rumours and this press conference is not to be used to in any way to diffuse rumours. I am here to share information as I said at the begining, to share information on the progress that we are making in tackling the serious economic and financial challenges that we are being faced with as a single country and as a member of the Currency Union and as a member of the global community. I am not going to get involved in that…”
As was suggested by the Prime Minister, contact was made with the Governor-General’s office this afternoon, but this publication was told that he had already retired therefrom for the day.
