St Vincent & Grenadines opposition leader calls for AG's resignation

Prime Minister Dr Ralph
Gonsalves

by Norman 'Gus' Thomas
Caribbean Net News Special Regional Correspondent

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent: The Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, wants to see the back of the country's Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan for the year 2005.

Speaking via a recent press release, the NDP's President and Leader of the Parliamentary Minority Arnhim Eustace expressed the view that Jones-Morgan should demit office following what is being referred to as an apparent drug-related matter in London involving her husband's relative.

Earlier this month, Caribbean Net News carried the story of Ruben Morgan's arrest by police in London for allegedly having one kilo of cocaine on his person while arriving at an airport in London.

Morgan at the time, was in possession of a diplomatic passport of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Caribbean Net News confirmed that the document was issued to Morgan by the ULP Government of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Caribbean Net News learnt that Morgan along with the AG and her husband had travelled separately to London to attend a funeral. 

According to Eustace's release, Morgan's arrest will cast a dark shadow over the country as the name of St. Vincent will be tarnished both in the Caribbean and the international community.

"Too many Vincentians are being caught in this way, therefore bringing this country and its people into disrepute," the press release said, adding that, "in this most recent incident, the matter is further complicated by the fact that the person concerned is a relative of this country's Attorney General who is alleged to have travelled to the UK at the same time. There is no evidence to suggest that the Attorney General is in any way involved and she is generally regarded as someone with excellent reputation."

However, the release went on to suggest that in the circumstances Jones-Morgan should do the correct thing and demit office, saying that such a move would be in the best interest of the country and all involved.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gonsalves said Ruben Morgan held no attachment to the Foreign Affairs or Diplomatic Mission overseas. He admitted that Morgan assisted nationals of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Canada who were experiencing immigration problems. However the Prime Minister did not say if this was the reason for issuing Morgan with the diplomatic travel document.

When word of Morgan's arrest was reported, the St Vincent and Grenadines Government immediately instructed the country's London High Commission to recall Morgan's diplomatic passport.

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