By Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): “Before Dr. Harris gave his remarks yesterday, I was told that he would give a statement. After a statement was given, a number of people called and told me what was said. Interestingly, I was overseas attending a funeral and on my way back, I was informed of this particular development,” said Leader of the People’s Action Movement Shawn Richards in a media briefing Wednesday (May. 11) at the RLB International Airport.
Shawn Richards alongside Lindsay Grant, Jonel Powell, Mark Brantley, Eric Evelyn, and Alexis Jeffers were dismissed as Ministers of Government by Governor-General Sir Tapley Seaton on the advice of Dr. Timothy Harris as Prime Minister.
“This has not done any damage to the People’s Action Movement or CCM. As a matter of fact, I think it has given our supporters a greater resolve in ensuring that after the next general election Dr. Harris will not be the next Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, that is certain.”
Eugene Hamilton who recently indicated to PAM that he has no intention of continuing as a candidate in the party was not among the list of Cabinet members stripped of their portfolios and dismissed – instead he was assigned the portfolios of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Infrastructure, Posts and Urban Development previously held by Shawn Richards.
“I don’t think it came as a surprise to the People’s Action Movement. Eugene Hamilton – as people would be aware when we indicated that we no longer support Dr. Harris as Prime Minister – had taken a position that he was not going to sign that particular letter. That meant that he has remained of the Dr. Harris Cabinet.”
WINN FM inquired about whether Eugene Hamilton will remain a Deputy Political Leader and a member of the National Executive of PAM.
“That is a decision for the council to make and not myself,” said Richards.
