Minister of National Security St. Clair Leacock says that Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves will get only what he is entitled to from the state.
Gonsalves, who served as prime minister from March 2001 to Nov. 27, 2025, when his Unity Labour Party administration was voted out of office, said on Nov. 29, that he was expecting “usual courtesies and privileges attendant upon the former holders of this high office in St. Vincent and the Grenadines consonant with the practices of civilised nations”.
The former prime minister did not elaborate but said, “Any derogation therefrom “will be brought to the attention of the national, regional and international communities for corrective action.”
Leacock, who is also deputy prime minister, was asked about Gonsalves’ request on Boom FM on Monday.
He said that he understood that for a short time, a police detail of six officers had been assigned to the former prime minister.
“I hope by the weekend that had been trimmed because that conversation took place. He had a detail with as many as six policemen with the senior person in that detail being an inspector. He’s not entitled to that,” Leacock said.
“Then the protocol that has to be confirmed is that if an opposition leader is functioning and you’re still active in politics, you’re still politically active, you are not entitled to that security blanket. So, he will have to make up his mind as to what degree of courtesy you will extend to him,” Leacock said.
“Clearly, if he’s retired to active politics, the courtesy of a security or a driver to facilitate his going about his business is in order but you can’t have it both ways. Nor must he have those securities in a way to pretend that it’s business as usual, nothing has changed.”
Leacock said that the six officers had been reduced to two.
“And if that is not in place, then the commissioner of police will have to give an accountability as to why this large entourage.”
The national security minister said that he would prefer that any security detail assigned to the former prime minister not wear their uniform so as not to “give a sense that the police forces at work in his charge”.
He said the officers could be assigned to Gonsalves to provide any assistance that is necessary, either as driver or security, “but he is not going to have a party of six”.
After leaving politics, the late Sir James Mitchell, who was prime minister from 1984 to October 2000, was assigned a police driver to transport him to official functions only, and the officer drove the former prime minister’s personal vehicle.
Leacock said that Arnhim Eustace – who was prime minister from October 2000 to March 2001 and then opposition leader until November 2016 — got police assistance after he left politics in 2020 and then his health failed.
“And a police officer was provided for him as a driver, and perhaps to the extent that they are police and you’re driver, they are intertwined. But he didn’t have two. And definitely, Dr. Friday had none.”
Godwin Friday, who is now prime minister, served as opposition leader from November 2016 to November 2025. Unlike Eustace and Gonsalves, he had not served as prime minister before becoming opposition leader.
Leacock said that the issue of security for Gonsalves is under investigation, and the government was awaiting a cabinet record that says that there should be a specific entitlement.
“We are not so convinced, and therefore, to the extent that that cannot be provided, we will do the right thing,” Leacock said.
It was noted that Gonsalves is 79 and has not driven for 20-plus years. Leacock was asked who would be driving Gonsalves.
“Do you recall the opposition leader saying that he doesn’t work for bottle cover? So, he can afford a driver if he has to have a driver. He doesn’t have to drive himself.
“The safe answer is to say that further investigation is required and is being undertaken, and before the end of the week, that will be resolved, and he will have nothing more than to which he’s entitled. Let me sit in the positive: nothing more than what to what he’s entitled.”
Leacock said Gonsalves has not made any request to him, and the record is that he does not speak to Friday.
“And I’m not aware that the commissioner of police has had any either.”
Leacock said that police officers for Gonsalves’ house is clearly out of the question.
“They can’t be part of a household guard. I mean, come on.”
What privileges is Ralph Gonsalves talking about? Did he give privileges to fired workers and destroyed families because of his vaccine mandate? Would he have given privileges if he had won the election?
We need our police officers to fight crime in our country. Mr Gonsalves has made a living that could afford him the privilege of security officers at his own expense. He can hire as many as he wishes. The same courtesies he extended to his predecessors should be extended to him.
Stop all your brainless comments. If it is due to him in law, then it’s not based on the discretion of anyone. Brace yourself for the troubles that are about to visit you because you voted for a clueless bunch of individuals. Follow your misleaders to the slaughter. Dominicans and Antiguans were essentially banned from entering the US today because of CBI. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.