Government Minister refutes claim
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LEADERS of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and the People’s Labour Party (PLP) Hons. Shawn K. Richards and Dr. Timothy S. Harris, respectively, have confirmed to this publication that they received information suggesting that their mobile telephones are being tapped by or upon the request of the Government of St. Christopher and Nevis.
Speaking with SKNVibes earlier today, Richards said it was on Monday (Jun. 1) that he received the information and the reason he was given for the alleged tapping.
“I have been informed that my telephone has been tapped by the government on the ground that I am suspected of being involved in criminal activity, I have been informed, but I don’t know if they went to the Court and got an order from the Court...there isn’t much I can tell you.”
Questioned as to whether or not he is involved in criminal activity, Richards replied, “Well, if getting rid of the government is considered to be criminal activity, then I guess I’m guilty.”
Although he refrained from going into details, Richards indicated that, according to his understanding, his is not the only cellular telephone which has been tapped.
SKNVibes contacted Dr. Harris who indicated that he has also been informed that his cellular telephone has been tapped and that those of other key opposition individuals are also being monitored.
“I too have heard the information making the rounds that there has been tapping of certain political officials in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. I have heard it said that my phone is being tapped.
“We know that we have an illegal government, a Prime Minister that is now focussed on remaining in office at any cost, and so these kinds of information that we are having, we pay attention to them knowing that it is the nature of dictatorship to invade people’s privacy and to invade executive authority. If these were found to be true, it would really be a callus indictment on all those who are responsible for it.”
Dr. Harris expressed hope that the information is “ill-founded” but noted that if it is not, it constitutes an “act of desperation of a government that has lost the confidence of the people”.
His Deputy Leader, the Hon. Sam Condor, who was also contacted by this publication, confirmed that he too had been informed that his cellular telephone is being tapped.
SKNVibes contacted Minister of Technology the Hon. Glenn Phillip about the claims and he categorically denied that such is taking place.
“That is not true...that is absurd! And, what I would say is that somebody is trying to get some sort of recognition. But that is completely absurd and untrue. As a matter of fact, we do not have that capability.”
