BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – Opposition senator in the National Assembly, Hon. Nigel Carty has expressed concern that Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ian Queeley, is allowing the political directorate of the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Administration to drag him into the political arena.
Sen. Carty took issue with Commissioner Queeley’s recent attack on Labour Party Parliamentarian, Hon. Marcella Liburd and accused Prime Minister Harris of stifling any form of criticism or statement in relation to the police.
Carty is of the view that Harris is ordering the top police officer “to castigate and undermine members of the opposition.”
He said he is fully convinced that Dr. Harris is dictating to the Commissioner of Police “what he says and what he does” and is of the view that his statement “may result in another statement from the COP.”
Sen. Carty indicated that in relation to the recent crime symposium the Hon. Marcella Liburd had expressed her concerns about the rampant crime situation in the country and that if her statement was controversial or inaccurate, persons present would rebut or challenge it immediately on the floor.
He questioned why there was no exchange and submitted that after the symposium a directive was given to use her statement to undermine her credibility and attack the lone elected female parliamentarian.
“Rather than having a politician make the statement and have it appear directly and openly as a political statement, they have called upon the Commissioner of Police to issue a statement,” said Carty.
“It is all about Timothy Harris who will use people and the only thing that Timothy Harris cares about is his own political advancement, aggrandisement, and enrichment,” said Mr. Carty, who indicated that some civil servants and public officers allow themselves to be used by Timothy Harris.
“As to whether what they are being called upon to do is in the best interest of the country, in the best interest of the offices that they hold and in their own long-term best interest. This is only about Timothy Harris,” said Carty, who urged officials not to lose the respect of officers in the government with whom they serve, lose their credibility or jobs and will stand up for something and retain their integrity as professionals and citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Photo 1 – Hon. Nigel Carty
Photo 2 – Mr. Ian Queeley