BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE “Naked Lawyer” as he was dubbed, created quite a stir during and after the Inception Fete event (Dec. 28) when - either while onstage or before entering the stage - he stripped down to what persons perceived was his normal underwear.
A video of the incident - labelled “Lawyer at Inception” - was posted on popular social medium Facebook and generated several comments from users of that network.
The 58-second video begins with the lawyer - who has been identified as Denzil Hinds - onstage with guest artiste Denise Belfon.
In the video he was dressed in what appeared to be normal men’s briefs, a hat and shoes, and he followed the instructions as Belfon dictated. Nearing the end of the footage, he was seen whispering in Belfon’s ear and after she thanked him he collected his clothes and headed to the back of the stage.
While some described Hinds’ behaviour as “lewd”, “unbecoming for a lawyer” and “simply unacceptable”, he explained that in this instance perception seems to have superseded reality.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, the lawyer explained that though he had indeed taken off his outer garments there was good reason for him doing so.
“She (Befon) called for any Kittitian men who wanted to come up (onstage), but none volunteered. She called for any Trinidadian men who were willing to come up onstage and then she called for me; she identified me personally...”
Hinds indicated that he was wearing a tight pair of jeans and because he “was afraid that Ms. Belfon’s performance might have ripped my jeans”, he took them off and proceeded onto the stage.
And while onstage, he said Ms. Belfon told him to take off his shirt, which he did.
He was left wearing what appeared to be a normal men’s underwear but, according to Hinds, the garment was a swimwear.
“What I had on was a short pair of pants that I usually go swimming in and my intention was to go swimming after Inception and relax on the beach. I usually go to South Friars Bay by JamRock...”
Hinds told SKNVibes he is “extremely surprised that this is an issue” and he explained that lawyers are ordinary individuals who have a right to enjoy the Carnival festivities just as anyone else.
“The truth of the matter is that lawyers are human beings. Notwithstanding the impression some lawyers would want to give you, and we do have fun like ordinary people. In fact we lawyers are ordinary people, we are ordinary citizens and don’t for one second think that as a lawyer I am not an ordinary citizen.”
Lawyer Hinds was also spotted on one of the two final jam sessions of the Sugar Mas’ 42 season again dressed only in what he described as his swimwear, a golf hat and shoes. He said it is obvious that some individuals have a serious problem with double standards, especially since his actions were moderate when compared with those exhibited on Grand Parade Day and Las’ Lap.
“On the 1st and 2nd of January, half of St. Kitts was parading in what would equate to their panty and brassiere and the other half of St. Kitts didn’t stay home and talk about it. They came out and watched and enjoyed it, but yet they are talking about five minutes onstage at Inception. It’s ridiculous.”
For those who suggest that for the Inception Fete Hinds may have been under the influence of alcohol, he declared that he was not but rather was exercising his right to enjoy himself.
“And it’s Carnival and I have no reservations in going on the stage...absolutely none. I was not intoxicated. I had stuff to drink but I was not intoxicated...I paid $150 to go to Inception and I was going to get my money’s worth. And getting my money’s worth included entertaining myself and Ms. Belfon onstage. I was never naked and I was never in my underwear and I was never under the influence of alcohol.”
