BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “I don’t have people cooping me as soon as I come out to be taking my photograph; so there had to be some sinister plan on the part of Mr. Blanchette, and I was right to confront him.”
These are the sentiments of the Prime Minister of the Federation, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, regarding a confrontation that took place on Wednesday (Mar. 25) between him and Constituency Number One Representative for the People’ Action Movement (PAM) Glenroy Blanchette.
The incident is said to have occurred sometime after 7:00 that evening and, according to Blanchette’s account, he was in attendance of a Fish Fry held at Project Strong and when he saw the PM exiting that compound he took the opportunity to take photographs of him. Blanchette said he was verbally accosted and assaulted by the PM.
Blanchette told SKNVibes that when he left the area, he proceeded to the Basseterre Police Station where he filed a report.
Earlier today, just about one week after the incident occurred, the PM spoke on the issue after being questioned by a caller to his weekly radio programme, “Ask the PM”.
In giving his version of the incident, PM Douglas said he went to Project Strong late that afternoon “on invitation” to meet with Washington Archibald and other individuals. He explained that on leaving the meeting he saw someone taking his photograph and found that occurrence to be “strange”.
“...when I finished the meeting, which was a very very useful discussion, I came outside to leave and I noticed that someone was basically snapping away at me. I did not know who the person was. I didn’t go there to a public function; I went to have a private meeting so I found it strange that someone will just simply emerge out of the darkness...taking my photographs.
“...I said, “Who is down there taking my photograph? Who is it? And, so as I spoke, I walked towards the person then I discovered it was Glenroy Blanchette with a camera. Also in the yard there, there was Reggie; there was my school teacher of long time, Willy Liburd...and one or two other people hanging around. I found it very very strange that I emerged at a meeting and someone outside snapping away at me.”
The leader of the country further explained that as he approached Blanchette, he inquired the reason for taking his picture.
“As I said, I approached and I asked, ‘What is it you are taking my photograph for? What are you going to do with this photograph that you’ve just taken? What is the reason for this? Why are you doing this?’ And eventually my security officer took over the situation and Mr. Blanchette was escorted away from the area.”
Contrary to Blanchette’s account of the incident, the PM made no mention of any actions of assault, whether against him or Blanchette.
The PM described this as a ploy of desperation employed by the opposition party.
Press and Public Relations Officer of the Police Force, Inspector Cromwell Henry confirmed that the Prime Minister, as he indicated, filed a complaint against Blanchette “with the relevant authorities.”
“...because I found it very, very strange that here am I...emerging from a private meeting – this had never happened before – and there is Blanchette. I understand before I came out, he was there taking photographs of my jeep.”
Making reference to rumours and comments made by members of society concerning their perceived reason for his visit to Project Strong, PM Douglas denied fervidly that he went there to evict Washington Archibald from the premises.
“This is the kind of malice and propaganda that these people continue to spread on a daily basis. So it seems as though Blanchette was one of those who was duped by Reggie, being brought on the scene to take pictures of me throwing Washie out of Project Strong. Why would I want to throw Washie out of Project Strong? Project Strong was created under my administration. I have no problem with Mr. Archibald, so I really don’t understand why this negative propaganda, this spin on a simple meeting that I attended. I attend hundreds of meetings with people on a daily basis, on a regular basis, when I am asked.”
His insinuation was that Blanchette’s actions of taking his picture were part of some “sinister plan” which gave him [the PM] the right to confront.
“...I was right to confront him and my security was right in asking him to leave the scene in order to avoid any further confrontation that he intended to create with me as the Prime Minister.”
