Dominica government deny MP was medically evacuated

The government in Dominica has shot down claims that Portsmouth MP Ian Douglas was medically evacuated last weekend.

Social media platforms have been home to rumours about the politician’s condition, including that he was flown to Martinique because of a kidney problem.

But the government has revealed that Douglas, who is Dominica’s minister for trade, energy and employment, is in Cuba for an “annual check-up”.

Steve Ferrol, cabinet secretary ambassador, announced that the government of Dominica has an arrangement with Cuba that allows ministers, parliamentary secretaries and other parliamentarians to have regular appointments in Cuba.

"Last week, Minister Douglas was indeed not feeling well and went to the Portsmouth Hospital where he was examined by a doctor,” he said.

“A number of tests were prescribed for the minister to have undertaken the following day.

“The government of Dominica then took a decision to make arrangements for the minister to travel to Cuba where the tests that began at the Portsmouth Hospital could be completed and then to proceed with a thorough check-up.”

Ferrol added: "Minister Douglas was not medically evacuated as has

been suggested by one electronic news outlet.

“There was no ambulance involved, there was no doctor or nurse who accompanied Minister Douglas. He walked to the aircraft on Saturday which flew directly from Douglas-Charles to Cuba."

This isn’t the first time that the health of Dominican members of parliaments have been gossiped about online.