Thursday, 19th September 2024

SKN Labour Party: Conspiracy brewing on court matter of Dr Drew vs Hamilton

The St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) alleged the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and other government parliamentarians in close proximity of the Director of Public Prosecution, Valston Graham and it would affect the judgment as whole.

Friday, 26th February 2021

Dr Terrance Drew vs Eugene Hamilton
St Kitts and Nevis: St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) alleged the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and other government parliamentarians in close proximity of the Director of Public Prosecution, Valston Graham and it would affect the judgment as whole. In a press statement the party said: The Director of Public Prosecution Valston Graham held a press conference on February 25 to address the outrage that has been circulating regarding his decision to take over the prosecution of the court matter of Dr Terrence Drew versus Eugene Hamilton.

Posts have been circulating throughout various social media platforms venting frustrations surrounding the DPP’s affiliation with the People’s Action Movement leader.

The DPP confirmed that he is “friends with Shawn,” who is the leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM), the same political organization of which Eugene Hamilton is a member of. It is unethical for a DPP to closely align himself with a Political Leader, especially given our society's strong political sensitivity. How are we then to believe that justice will be fairly served? Not only is the DPP seen socially with Shawn, but he was also seen supporting Shawn Richards, Leader of the People’s Action Movement at his political summer events in Sandy Point, where he distributed school supplies.

According to the DPP, he is awaiting Dr Drew’s attorneys “to provide me with the evidence that they have, once they provide me with that evidence, I would assess it and I would make a determination as to whether or not that particular prosecution go forward or whether or not, the evidence reveals that there is a greater need for me to ask the Commissioner of Police to make a more widespread investigation into any allegations of bribery that may have been caught in the 2020 elections”.

How beneficial will that be at this point when the limitation has passed since December 2020?

In November 2020, Dr Terrence Drew filed a criminal lawsuit of bribery and treating against Eugene Hamilton. Still, DPP Graham is alleging that he only found out about the matter last Monday. How likely is that? He claims he does not know Eugene Hamilton “I don’t know the guy from Adam except for him being a member of National Assembly”. How can the Director of Public Prosecution not know an honorable member of the government in a 68 square mile country?

He also added that both parties delivered care packages during their campaign, but only one party delivered their care packages in paraphernalia, soliciting persons to vote for them. Labour’s care packages did not contain any information soliciting votes or anything that could be affiliated to the party; it was a genuine effort to provide assistance to the people.

Is this an attempt to dismiss the case because of the possible implication for Eugene Hamilton? The DPP’s demeanor and utterances during the press conference call into question his claim to being unbiased.