BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CONTROVERSY brewed this afternoon (May 3) at the old Constituency Office of the Hon. Sam Condor after owner of the land on which it sits - Captain Val Morris - went there to change the locks that secured the property.
SKNVibes arrived at the scene shortly after 5:00 p.m. and observed a crowd had gathered, and among them many individuals expressed their thoughts and feelings on what was taking place.
Inquiries made by this media house revealed that Captain Morris had gone there to change the locks on the premises when the attempt was interrupted by Messrs. Lindsay Grant and Jonel Powell - members of the Unity Movement.
SKNVibes also met three members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force who were endeavouring to maintain peace during the incident.
Shortly after, Condor arrived and he and Powell as well as Grant were engaged in dialogue with the officers who were asking them to leave the property. Condor - who refused - argued that if he is being asked to leave, then all other parties should also be asked to do so.
After some time, Condor exited the premises while Morris remained.
SKNVibes made attempts to secure an interview with Captain Morris but was unsuccessful. He however eventually addressed the crowd and explained what had taken place.
Morris said he went to the property to change the locks, acting on the advice of his lawyer.
“Is no question that this property belongs to me. I got all the legal documents. Is no question about that. The advice was to change the locks - from my lawyer - and that (is what) we were doing this afternoon. During the process, I saw Lindsay Grant, Jonel Powell and some other fellow...and we were asked them to leave...
“So the police came and fortunately I walked with my file and I have all the documents signed and sealed by the Court... And the law is extremely clear! The police asked them to leave the premises and, after some hesitation, they left the premises.”
Captain Morris expressed his confidence in the police and advised that “if anybody enters the property without permission granted by me they will be taken before the Court for trespassing. Make no bones about it”.
This publication also approached Condor following the incident and he indicated that he has no difficulty with the fact that the land belongs to Captain Morris. He however noted that he had erected the building and fence on the property. And having written to Morris about what arrangement is to be made concerning the matter, he did not receive a response.
Condor explained that with no arrangement being made and with the property that sits on the land still in his ownership, Morris’ attempts to change the locks were “illegal”.
“They can’t bar me...they cannot do it! The building belongs to me and I have been occupying there for the past 25 years. What they are doing there is an illegal act and the Court will have to resolve it. I think now that the police have gotten involved, some court action would have to proceed. The last thing, we have written to them, we have not heard from them, but now that this has taken place, then it will expedite the process.”
More than one month ago, as Condor had indicated to this publication, he was asked to vacate the premises so that his political opponent, Konris ‘King Konris’ Maynard, could occupy it.
Condor reportedly protested and informed that he would not give up the property unless he is “properly compensated”.
Condor has since occupied and officially opened a new constituency office in the vicinity of the old constituency office.
