St Kitts and Nevis: Six ministers suspended as Timothy Harris dissolves parliament

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Timothy Harris dismissed 6 ministers and requested the Governor-General to dissolve the parliament.

Wednesday, 11th May 2022

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr Timothy Harris

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Timothy Harris dismissed six government ministers and requested the Governor-General to dissolve the parliament, calling for fresh elections. He asked Governor-General Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton to remove Shawn Richards as the Deputy Prime Minister and replace him with Eugene Hamilton. Prime Minister Harris stated that Richards failed to attend the national assembly for over ninety-one days; similarly, Concerned Citizens Movement's elected members also did not participate in the assembly, and only one member of the People's Action Movement (PAM) attended meetings in recent weeks. "The projected absence of honourable Shawn Richards from the cabinet over the past 91-days is a major breach of the oath. During this time, I have exercised great restraint in an effort to bring resolution to the matter; I could not, however, do what the honourable Shawn Richards requested, that is, direct the police to alter a police statement," said Timothy Harris. Furthermore, Prime Minister stated that the current situation could not continue, and the people of St Kitts and Nevis certainly deserve better.

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"I Have taken the difficult but necessary step to remove from their positions those who have shown disinterest in their duties. I have asked his excellency to reassign the portfolios to members who are willing and able to deliver," said Timothy Harris. Besides Richards, Prime Minister also dismissed Mark Brantley, Lindsay Grant, Jonel Powell, Alexis Jeffers and Eric Evelyn. Notably, these members had earlier written to the governor- general, calling for a "motion of no confidence" against Harris. As the parliament of St Kitts and Nevis is officially dissolved, elections must be conducted before August 08, 2022. Premier of Nevis and Leader of Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) Mark Brantley expressed his outrage over the suspension of ministers. Governor General suspended Mark Brantley in a letter on Tuesday, adding that all his duties and privileges are revoked. "BY virtue of the powers and authority vested in me by Section 52(9)(a) of the Constitution of Saint Christopher and Nevis and in accordance with the advice of Dr The Honourable Timothy Sylvester Harris, Prime Minister of Saint Christopher and Nevis, I DO HEREBY REVOKE your appointment as a Minister of Government of Saint Christopher and Nevis with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and Aviation all as contained in the Instrument of Appointment dated the 14th day of June, 2020 and all powers, rights, privileges and advantages," the GG's letter to Brantley read.