BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Chairman of the opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP), Hon. Marcella Liburd has ripped Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris for snubbing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, who was represented by her grandson, His Royal Highness, Prince Henry of Wales during a one day visit to St. Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday.
Ms. Liburd said Dr. Harris left St. Kitts three days ahead of Prince Hurry’s planned visit to the island, smacks of disrespect.
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“I think it’s highly disrespectful. I’m not a Queen person or a monarchy person but that is beside the point. This is where we are and we should go along with the protocol and show respect.
“I think it’s highly disrespectful for someone representing the Monarchy to come into St. Kitts- we knew well in advance- and for the Prime Minister to decide not to be here I think is a show of the type of disrespect that he metes out to people generally, and in this case it doesn’t matter,” she told WINNFM.
Prince Harry arrived in St. Kitts Wednesday morning (Nov 23) as part of his Caribbean tour, which had been announced since early September; Prime Minister Harris left the island on Sunday afternoon (Nov 20).
On Monday the nation was informed that Dr. Harris and an entourage had journeyed to the Philippines to receive a Gusi Peace Prize Award from a private foundation.
Ms. Liburd told WINN FM that the reason for the Prime Minister’s trip abroad furthered the apparent disregard for protocol.
“It also shows his selfishness, because what has he gone for? He left the country; I’m sure nobody knew he left the country, but now we’re hearing that he’s gone to collect some award from some private institution that nobody knows how he got this award or anything.
“But again it’s about him; it’s all about him. He first and the country and the people in it can come after. I just think it’s highly disrespectful not to be here at a time like this. I also think it’s significant to note that Sir Edmund Lawrence [former Governor General] is getting his knighthood during this visit so maybe he didn’t want to be here for that either; you never can tell with him.”
The young Royal was welcomed to the island by Head of State Governor General Sir Tapley Seaton, along with Deputy Prime Minister Shawn Richards.
