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St Kitts-Nevis PM accused of 'trumpeting corruption'

Former PLP chairman Douglas Wattley turns his back on Timothy Harris

Tuesday, 9th May 2017

APOLOGY: Douglas Wattley regrets his involvement with the Team Unity coalition.

A former chairman of the People’s Labour Party has accused the St Kitts and Nevis prime minister of “trumpeting the corruption” inside government.

Douglas Wattley, who was ousted chairman of the PLP earlier this year, accused the Team Unity Government of installing a culture of corruption in the federation.

He also apologised for allowing himself to be used as "an instrument that lied to the electorate".

Writing on Facebook, Wattley said: “I protest the magnitude of benefits going to one family while others struggle. Recall that I objected to your unfair promotion ahead of more qualified, more deserving employees at the Department of Health.

“I object to the treatment of senior civil servants like Dr Patrick Martin, Clifford Griffin, Ionie Willet and others. I object to the manner in which Innotech obtained the contract to put up the temporary BHS at the expense of local contractors.

"I object to the failure to account for funds donated to the PLP for the 2015 campaign. I object to the poor treatment dished out to Sam Condor, a man who sacrificed much.”

In response to a post on his FaceBook page, Wattley admitted he is personally offended by the actions and attitude of the the coalition government.

“I object because I was an instrument of that lie and for that I apologise,” he added.

Wattley was among several executive and founding members not invited to the inaugural PLP convention.

[caption id="attachment_1219" align="alignleft" width="187"] Prime Minister Timothy Harris.[/caption] The Timothy Harris administration is currently mired in scandal following accusations that it is harbouring a Chinese fugitive. Leader of the opposition Denzil Douglas has called for Harris to resign. The prime minister has denied all allegations, and instead pointed the finger at the previous government led by Douglas.