PM Douglas explains reason for sacking Condor
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation’s Attorney-General, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, has been appointed Leader of Government Business in the Federal Parliament.
Nisbett, who is the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs as well as Parliamentary Representative for Nevis Nine, was recently appointed to the position which was previously held by Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable Sam T. Condor.
Condor – who served in that capacity for 18 years - was stripped of his responsibilities on January 8, 2013.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, he was first informed via telephone, then by email and a letter on the following day regarding his stripping of that portfolio.
Speaking shortly before the adjournment of yesterday’s (Jan. 16) Parliamentary sitting, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Denzil L. Douglas explained that conflicts of interest surrounding Condor constitutes a major determinant in his decision to relieve him of the Leader of Government Business portfolio.
“I made sure that before this was even sent to him in writing that I spoke to him in person by way of telephone and, then in order to ensure that the information was received since it was in the early evening, I sent it electronically and then a hard copy was delivered.
“I want to say that the Deputy Prime Minister has served for quite a long time, has served with distinction. But I must point out, as I indicated in the correspondence to him, that in recent times it had become problematic for the government to have had someone leading in the framing of important legislative matters that are to come to the Parliament who had expressed very, very clearly and openly that he was not in support of those matters which were to come to our Parliament.
“I think it is only natural - and especially since of course it was providing a conflict of interest for the Deputy Prime Minister - to have relieved him of the responsibility of Leader of Government Business in the House.”
Prime Minister Douglas expressed that the move was made “without any rancour and with a complete understanding”, and congratulated Condor for the service he had provided to the House over the years.
“I want to do as you have done earlier and as the Hon. Attorney-General did as well earlier… to commend the Member for Number Three, the Deputy Prime Minister, for the services that he has provided to this Parliament as the Leader of Government Business for several years. And so on behalf of this side, on behalf of all of my colleagues, I wish to register our deep appreciation for the services that he has rendered.”
According to Dr. Douglas, taking over from Minister Condor, the Attorney-General is the fittest persons to assume the responsibilities as Leader of Government Business. And he admonished his colleagues to throw their full support behind Nisbett.
Condor’s response to the Prime Minister’s expressions reflected his gratitude for being afforded the privilege of serving his country and he pledged his continued support to the current occupant of that post.
