The main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) on Monday restated its call for Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves to explain himself amidst the ongoing saga in which former model Yugge Farrell claimed that she was involved in an extra-marital sexual relationship with him.
“The principles of decency and good governance in a modern democracy requires that any government minister embroiled in such a salacious scandal must clarify the situation to the satisfaction of the people or resign his position,” the party said in a press statement on Monday.
The press statement follows calls by party president and Opposition Leader, Godwin Friday and party chair, Daniel Cummings, on their radio programmes last week for the finance minister to explain what might have happened between him and the model, who has since been charged with abusing the minister’s wife.
“Such a scandal reflects negatively on the high office of the Minister of Finance and brings it into disrepute. Having failed to clarify the matter, Camillo Gonsalves, who professes to love this country and to respect its people, has but one choice. We, therefore, call on him to do the right and honourable thing and resign,” the NDP said.
The NDP’s statement comes amidst the ongoing saga which began when Farrell was arraigned on Jan. 4 on a charge that she used abusive language to Camillo’s wife, Karen Duncan-Gonsalves, a Crown counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers in Kingstown, reportedly telling her “you dirty b***h”.
At Farrell’s arraignment on Jan. 5, Kingstown Magistrate Bertie Pompey granted a prosecution request that Farrell be sent for two weeks of psychiatric evaluation.
The application was granted in the absence of any supporting evidence by the prosecution and in the face of strong protest by defence counsel Grant Connell.
After Farrell’s court-ordered hospitalisation, a number of documents resembling emails, which persons circulating them are suggesting were written by Farrell have been circulated. The documents contain unsubstantiated claims about a number of high-profile persons, including that they have “full blown AIDS”.
Some persons have questioned the release of the alleged email in light of the salacious claims made by persons who have no known connection to the ongoing saga.
The NDP, on Monday, condemned the release of “private emails into the public domain which has done nothing but obfuscate the issue more.
“The timing of release of these emails and correspondence attributed to Miss Farrell is suspicious and we question the credibility of the leaked documents. If these documents are evidence in the investigation they should be handed over to the police, not circulated over public media,” the party said.
The NDP also pointed to the media report that Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and his Deputy, Sir Louis Straker, have advised Camillo, who is also Member of Parliament for East St. George, not to comment on the saga.
“This is an affront as Camillo was elected by the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and owes the people of this nation an explanation as to his involvement or not. This high-handed approach demonstrates the level of contempt and disrespect that Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP hold for the people of this nation,” the NDP said.
“It is a matter of public interest, and concern and we have been following the matter as it has unfolded in the media and other public forums,” the party said, noting that over a week has passed and there has been no clear statement on the matter by Camillo.
“As a member of Parliament and Minister of Government, Mr. Camillo Gonsalves has a responsibility to explain to the Vincentian people what, if anything, he knows about the allegations. It is insufficient for him to respond merely through his relatives and other ULP party surrogates,” the NDP said.
The party said that while the matter has been ventilated in public, the situation remains unclear.
It further said that media reports suggest that Farrell rights were violated by the way she was dealt with in court.
The party noted that after being allowed to plead to the charge in the Magistrate’s Court, Farrell was sent on the request of the prosecutor to the mental institution for assessment.
“The reports indicate that the procedure was abnormal as no evidence or information was laid before the Magistrate to support such a decision,” the NDP said.
The prime minister on Tuesday restated his claim that a magistrate can arrive at a decision in court regarding sending a person for psychiatric evaluation based on information communicated to the magistrate by the prosecution but not relayed to the defence.
Is he unfit? you be the judge!
If he is unfit to handle his own affairs when there is a problem, he is also unfit to handle the affairs of the Vincentian people.
Time to speak up or give up, time to get off the toilet.
Daddys boy has taken daddys advice and come back to papa.
There! There! now son, daddy-kins will help you, just say nothing and let me handle everything for you. You know I have got extensive experience in such matters, so just leave it to me, I am an expert liar you are still learning
Why is he or his family being labeled as the perpetrators instead of victims? What exactly did he or his family did wrong to the mentally Ill woman ? What is wrong with you people ?
For starters: Who has determined she is mentally ill? You? Ralph Gonsalves has admitted that the judge was given information before the case came to court and it was used to determine the sentence. What country do you live in anyway? Have you ever heard of Democracy or the Rule of Law?
Your perception seems to be accurate.
I am referring to Jolly Green’s comment
My case and point..
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/16/politics/kyrsten-sinema-suspected-stalker/index.html
Many of those who are crying fowl may themselves involve in extra marital affairs. I think Hon Gonsalves Jr. owes the country an expalanation but I do not think his conduct warrants resignation. If the allegations are true he should provide and explanation and seek forgiveness.
It is quite clear to me that the opposition is trying to score political points. Gonsalves Jr. silence is not doing any good to the matter. He should offer an explanation through and on the advice of a lawyer. The question that we may want to ask is whether it is wise to comment on a matter that one is implicated in during a trial?
Ms. Farrels rights must be respected in this matter. She are to be given the full support of the state machinery. She falls into the category of a vulnerable and intimidated witness and should be committed in the care and protection of social services. I wish her the best.
Extra marital affairs are a norm in Caribbean societies from both male and female perspectives. These are both consenting adults. Whether this is moral or immoral is up to the masses to decide. The real victim in this is the wife of Gonsalves Jr. No one seem to be saying anything in her support. I hope this matter comes to a closure soon for her benefit.
Proof that Camillo is directly involved?
So what proof do you have that Camillo Gonsalves is in any shape or form embroiled in such a salacious scandal? If he stood up and simply said, I know of the existence of this person but have never met her or had any relation with her, sexual or otherwise would you be satisified? Of course not. This is because you are strongly implying guilty unless proven innocent, thereby turning the respected British-based laws of our country on their head.
It is one of the reasons the NDP lost the elections. They continue to be involved with petty issues, instead of focusing on creating a real platform with policies on how to address the real issues affecting SVG and Vincentians. To date I’ve seen no real substance from the NDP including who will be responsible for implementing policies regarding crime prevention, job creation, reducing the flow of drugs and guns into SVG, dealing with violence against women, the poor and elderly, taxes and tax reform, tourism, infrastructure, cost of living to name a select few.
Come on SVG deal with the REAL ISSUES!
NDP did not lose the elections; THEY WERE STOLEN BIG TIME by the bunch if spineless greedy fowl brain corrupt dunce election officials.
The NDP lost four elections and I will bet your life CSIS that everyone of them were stolen by the ULP due to election fraud.
All of what you present has nothing to do with the NDP, that is A typical type talk that Gonsalves uses all the time.
This is about sending a girl to a mental institution and the initially burying evidence of alleged blackmail, and now they claim she was stalking them.
This sounds very much like a case of a woman scorned, a woman wronged, who’s reaction has been hauled before the public and she will never now get a fair trial in SVG for any associated matter. PM Gonsalves was totally out of order in the way he has chosen to deal with this matter. Totally out of order giving information to the media that was never presented in court.
It’s my firm belief that it’s he that needs assessment.
I have been following the development of this specific story with interest. I have a great deal to say about it. There is more than what the eyes can see, but I will be very brief now, with the following:
1.Who is this person going under the name CSIS? It is the acronym for the Canada’s Security Intelligence Service.
2. What is the legal definition of blackmail? Why would anyone want to blackmail anyone, including members of the ULP?
3. There appears to be some serious issues concerning legal procedures and political manipulation with this issue.
4. There appears to be a lot of experts on this issue, including those without medical and legal training and qualifications.
5. The official opposition has not handled this situation, adequately and the government has also failed to do so. Ralph Gonsalves: Time is longer than Twine. Remember, you can only squeeze so much.
6. When you disagree and or have opinions and views that contravene certain elements, you are considered to be mentally unsound.
7. This situation demonstrates the continuation of the political cancer that is eating away at any civility that remains in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
8.Bertie Pompey, […] you are following what Papa tells you? … I am also concern about your ability to do your job. Gorse and Mangrove have plenty of bushes and bushes can hear, sometimes.
9.For the record, this is a very REAL ISSUE.
10. I do not belong to any political party in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I am very fearless.
Ricardo Francis, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Waiting and in the Making
CSIS in this context does not mean Canadas Security Intelligence Service.
Who are the real
victims in this issue?
There are so many members of the GONSALVES and FRANCIS family, who are VICTIMIZERS and hoodlums. I wonder how much the ULP is paying you, CSIS to advocate on their behalf. You are absolutely not qualified to speak. I can speak. Everyone is legally entitled to their views and opinions, but I do not have to agree with them. I strongly recommend and suggest that you ask Ralph Gonsalves why he does not speak about me, in a PUBLIC forum. I am very fearless.
Ricardo Francis, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Waiting and in the Making.