BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LEADER of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), the Hon. Shawn Richards has accused Commissioner Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn and Senior Officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force of conspiring with politicians to subvert the political party’s Protest March and Rally planned for tomorrow (Jun. 26).
At a press conference this morning (Jun. 25) at the Ocean Terrace Inn, Richards told media representatives that “we have come across evidence which confirms that the police leadership is colluding with the politicians”.
Richards declared that the evidence, which was brought to his party’s attention, is in the form of email conversations among Commissioner Walwyn and his most senior ranks.
Claiming that the following are the statements made and questions asked by the Commissioner, Richards read, “No march permit was granted. Persons are not to be permitted to congregate on Church Street. Do we have plans in place to counter these insurgents? Has anyone contacted Cpl (name withheld) regarding the less lethal? Have we been training with the less lethal? What is the plan that is in place? I am not hearing from anyone except (name withheld).
“Where is the rest of the operational arm of law enforcement? DCP Liburd what plans are in place for mass arrest? Inspector David please refer to ACP Queeley all press questions until I return to Federation. Effective leadership is not about making speeches and being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes. (Peter Drucker)."
Richards also claimed that the following is the response to the Commissioner from one of his senior ranks: “Myself and the DCP discussed the issue this morning and I have certain directions from him. I spoke with (name withheld) last week regarding availability of IS gears and equipment and he informed me that they are available and the SSU has been training regularly.
“A meeting with all department head is scheduled for 2pm tomorrow with the DCP to discuss this development.”
Reiterating that the above mentioned are the email conversations among the Commissioner and his most Senior Officers, Richards said, “Now you see the conspiracy that is taking place between the police and the politicians.”
He further claimed to be reliably informed that Commissioner Walwyn was very angry with his senior ranks and told them that he is not a citizen of the Federation and does not care what happens in the country, so it is their decision.
“He was angry at them because they told him that they do not agree with his course of action and that he should reconsider his decision. But he told them that the decision was out of his hands because he had referred the matter to Astona Browne and Jason Hamilton,” Richards emphasised.
He continued: “The Commissioner revealed to his men that specific instructions were received from the Attorney General, Jason Hamilton, not to arrest the PAM Leaders and the PLP Leaders but that certain PAM supporters were to be arrested.”
Asked about the authenticity of the emails and how he came by them, Richards said, “The emails which I refer to are genuine. I did not hack into anyone’s computer to gain access. I am not aware that anyone hacked into a computer to gain access to those emails. Just as emails have been leaked elsewhere, the emails were leaked and I received a copy of the emails.”
He was also asked if he received them from the police.
“It doesn’t matter who I receive them from, the important thing is the substance of the emails…What is most important is whether or not the emails are genuine. And if they are not genuine then I am going to ask you all to call the Commissioner of Police and let him give you a response as to whether or not, indeed, those email conversations did take place. They are genuine and I trust my source.”
Richards also told media representatives that there would be a Health March tomorrow afternoon beginning at 4:00 from Greenlands.
“We hold no fear in the desperate actions of any dictator nor are we afraid of any police state, because as so many other dictators and tyrants have seen, the world is watching and the international court of justice is waiting,” the PAM’s Political Leader said.
