Leader of the Opposition, Godwin Friday, says that Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves must at some point explain himself amidst the ongoing scandal in which a former model has claimed that she had a sexual relationship with him.
“People don’t know what is going on. … Nobody is alleging truth or falseness to the particular statement. But the point is, if it is somebody who is a public figure, then it is a public matter,” Friday said on his weekly appearance on his party’s New Times programme on Nice Radio on Friday.
Friday’s comments came one week after former model Yugge Farrell, 22, of Lowmans Bay, was sent for two weeks of psychiatric evaluation.
Kingstown Magistrate Bertie Pompey sent the woman to the psychiatric hospital at the request of the prosecution when she appeared before him and pleaded not guilty to a charge that she abused Camillo’s wife, Karen Duncan-Gonsalves, by calling her “dirty b***h” the previous day, Jan. 4 in Kingstown.
The magistrate granted the prosecution’s application in the absence of any supporting evidence and amidst strenuous objections by defence counsel, Grant Connell.
After her hospitalisation, a number of videos of Farrell appeared on social media, in which she claimed, among other things, that she had a sexual relationship with Camillo while he was married.
The development has been the focus of much public discussion since.
Friday said that the matter is one of public concern “ because it is a parliamentarian and member of Cabinet” who is involved.
“So, from that perspective, of course, there is a need to create that clarity about it, if possible, to reinstate that public confidence in the minister and in the position as a parliamentarian.
“Of course it is of public interest. And any allegation made against a parliamentarian or a minister of government is a matter of public interest. It is not a private matter entirely.”
Friday said that those people who feel that somehow this is a trivial matter that doesn’t warrant any kind of public discussion, that is far from the truth.
“There are efforts, I can see, to defend, or at least to cast the young woman in a certain light. I don’t know her so I can’t really say one way or another. But what I can insist upon is that everybody is equal before the law. And when you come before the law, irrespective of whom you are accusing, whom you have offended, you are entitled to the benefit of the law and to be treated equally under the law, and that is what we insist upon and we hope that in the circumstances that whatever went wrong or whatever may have gone wrong would be rectified; whatever was done improperly that those persons who are in the positions to clarify the situation that they do so publicly, because it is a matter of public interest,” he said.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said Thursday that he has advised Camillo not to comment on an ongoing scandal.
Gonsalves said that Farrell had delivered “blackmail” letters to the offices of Camillo and his wife as well as to the office of the Prime Minister.
The prime minister said that the “blackmail “letters contain a lot of “nastiness”.
“A set of defamatory — a mountain of lies and abuse; just sickening,” the prime minister said.
The prime minister who reiterated that he has expressed his concern about Farrell said, “… clearly, the persons who have been wronged are Karen, her 7-year-old daughter and Camillo.”
On Wednesday, Daniel Cummings, Member of Parliament for West Kingstown — where Farrell lives — expressed concern about the process through which Farrell was sent to the psychiatric hospital for two weeks of evaluation.
Cummings, an NDP lawmaker, said that he was not trying to score political points as he knows Farrell’s family very well and they have told him repeatedly that they are staunch supporters of the ruling Unity Labour Party.
“I am saying this is a matter of human interest and no person’s daughter should be treated like that, regardless of political status,” Cummings said.
Why is Ralph being judge and jury in this case. He’s labeling some document from the young woman as blackmail without getting a judge to look at the case.
What you say is true. We should not think that anything that comes from the mouth of a leader is automatically true. Look at all the past leaders of the USA! What kind of an expert is Ralph Gonsalves? So much of what he has told us has been wrong and now he is broadcasting that this girl has mental problems, without any evidence.
His constantly declaring himself an expert does not make it so. Leaders will do absolutely anything to save their skin. Notice that when he makes a wrong decision he always blames someone else when it is ultimately always his fault?
Kenton I am being blocked with my comments. I tried to remove several sentences but it blocked me each time I resubmit. I’d try some other angle.
Dr. Friday,
Why on earth would you use this for political mileage? Why should the victim (Camillo or his family) explain themselves? THEY ARE THE VICTIMS SIR!
Clearly the individual DID stalk, DEFAME, INTIMIDATE (and continue to do so) the victims. If so then what must he defend? Take Camillo out of the picture, there were other victims here also ( the names called in the video). Come on SVG wake up and turn things around. The magistrate did the right thing given the facts. SVG Human Right investigated and give a clear statement on the matter.
There is no way someone should allow another person to slander, defame or besmirch another character without impunity. The woman is in need of mental assistance, and only a specialist would be able to confirm.
There is no way I would allow someone to slander my character like that without taking them to court for my redress. We have professionals all across the island working in all areas politically, and to allow this road gossip situation to fester into a so call scandal is unethical. This must stop! I agree with the magistrate to send her away for evaluation even as she flashes an international criminal gang sign.
The Pm should take President Trump to court for calling Africans “SHIT HOLES”.
He was referring to governments not people, we could have the same label applied here.
Be patient the story is still being invented and formulated and will need rehearsing by all the dynasty members before its release.
Most people who are admitted for a psychiatric evaluation get a seventy two hours evaluation. If they are not found suicidal or homicidal they are then discharged back into society without any record of that evaluation to follow their future. Why is a likely sane and intelligent young lady held for two weeks against her will? Shes not without blame for being in a relationship like she says she was, but its not her job to protect another mans marriage, that responsibility falls solely on the husband. I just pray that all involved walk away from this mess without too much stress..especially Yugge??
So the pm ain’t have nothing better to do
Kenton tell me why is my previous submission is still awaiting your moderation?Why are you censoring us? Isn’t it the same free speech you’re fighting for in SVG? Its 2018, lets have healthy debates without you being judge and jury please.
So because a comment takes a while to be moderated you think you are being censored? Do you have any idea how many other people commented before you?
These are modern times.. being moderated is being censored.. all comments should be allowed in immediately with a report option if is slanderous, racist, threatening or vulgar.
Thats free speech!
Admin you have always sen to be fair in your moderation of whats said. Yes you sometimes take a time to moderate but that is better than making snap decisions that you may regret afterwards.
CMS is obviously a dynasty propagandist and trying to control the situation. But they do have a right to speak regardless unless what they say is clearly untrue or unnecessarily damaging to someone.
Thank you for your good work, continue to be the professional that we respect.
The married mn is at fault here and should be te one “evaluated”,