Sunday, 8th December 2024

EXCLUSIVE: Former police commissioner confirms 'Denzil Douglas was never told of Interpol notice'

'There could not have been a cover-up', CG Walwyn tells WIC News

Thursday, 11th May 2017

Dr CG Walwyn, former police commissioner.
The former Commissioner of Police in St Kitts and Nevis has told WIC News that the federation's police never told the then-prime minister that an Interpol notice was issued for someone in the country. Instead the authorities made a "police decision" that no action was needed from the government, Dr CG Walwyn exclusively told WIC News.

And when asked about dishonest acts behind the scenes, he said: "There could not have been a cover-up."

Accusations surfaced earlier this month that Prime Minister Timothy Harris was 'harbouring' a Chinese national wanted for fraud.

The man at the centre of allegations – who obtained St Kitts and Nevis citizenship in 2013 – is accused by Chinese authorities of defrauding the country of US$350,000, which was then used in the Citizenship by Investment programme.

The government has denied any wrongdoing, instead blaming Douglas Denzil, who was prime minister when the suspect's passport was issued. Douglas claims he knew nothing, and has called on Timothy Harris to step down. [caption id="attachment_1246" align="aligncenter" width="499"] Leader of the opposition Denzil Douglas, left, and Prime Minister Timothy Harris.[/caption]

Now Walwyn has ruled out Harris' claim that Douglas was aware and should have taken action.

While unwilling to name the suspected Chinese national, Walwyn said: "We received notice from Interpol and the Special Branch Unit that there were two guys on a plane flying in from England.

"We looked at the guys when they arrived. We noted that they were leaving in three days and told Special Branch to contact Interpol and let them know that the pair were flying back through England and could be dealt with from there onwards within the week."

"We did not bring it to the attention of the prime minister – who was also minister of national security – because it was not an issue regarding national security. There was no need to.

"Our decision was a law enforcement decision. Let them get back on the plane and notify Interpol. That's what happened."

WIC News has approached Denzil Douglas and representatives of Timothy Harris, with neither commenting.

Dr Walwyn was commissioner of The Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force from 2011 until 2015. He now lives in Florida.