St Kitts and Nevis: Harris denies having Dominica passport

Last updated: October 22, 2017 at 8:36 am

The prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis has fiercely denied that he has ever been granted a diplomatic passport from Dominica.

Timothy Harris, in a report by Caribbean News Now, was accused of holding the official document just two weeks after pointing the finger at the opposition leader for the same thing. "Prime Minister Harris categorically denies having a Dominica diplomatic passport or any other passport," said a statement from his press secretary. "He has never had a Dominican diplomatic passport or a passport from any other country except for this beloved Federation of St Kitts and Nevis."

An image purportedly showing the passport belonging to the prime minister has not been independently verified.

The image has now been taken down from Caribbean News Now, although it is unclear why.

Back and forth

Dismissing the claims as "utterly baseless and malicious", Harris' statement took aim at the opposition, as well as the publication that initially published the report.

"The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis is disappointed that this shameless piece of inflammatory propaganda – which was initially circulated on social media by St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party supporters – would make its way into a publication professing to cover regional news based on journalistic merit, professionalism and media standards."

The federation has been engulfed in political bickering since the start of October, after Harris accused the leader of the opposition Denzil Douglas – prime minister from 1995 until 2015 – of holding citizenship and a diplomatic passport of Dominica.

Shortly after he made those claims, a black and white image was shared online that was described as the passport.

This document, much like the one of Harris, has not been verified and the government has not produced any evidence to support the claims.

[caption id="attachment_6975" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Social media user circulated this image, which apparently shows a diplomatic passport belonging to Denzil Douglas – issued by Dominica. Image: Caribbean News Now.[/caption]

Both images have "Dominican" listed as the holder's nationality. If the image is legitimate then it was issued before the one that has been linked to Harris' predecessor.

Douglas vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labelling the news as "hogwash". He told WIC News that Harris was "trying diversion tactics, taking away from the real issues of the day".

While in office, the former prime minister was passionately against those with dual citizenship holding office in St Kitts and Nevis.

WIC News has contacted the opposition leader for comment on the reports concerning Harris but have not had a reply.