Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Opposition leader says he regrets attack on PM
PROTESTORS LIT A BONFIRE at White Chapel Road, just outside the Parliament building on Thursday afternoon as part of the protest against the amendment to the Public Health Act.
News
August 6, 2021

Opposition leader says he regrets attack on PM

LEADER of the Parliamentary Opposition, Dr Godwin Friday said he regrets the attack on Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

The Prime Minister was struck in is head with a missile resulting in him having to seek medical attention at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH).

The opposition leader said the act of violence against Gonsalves is regrettable.

“I do not encourage violence in any action that I am involved in. I do not support any act of violence against any member of this honourable house or any person,” he continued.

“ I defend anyone’s right to defend their democratic principles. It is not my way…” the opposition leader said.

Friday continued to express his disapproval and disavowal of any act of violence during protest action and he requested the Deputy Prime Minister, Montgomery Daniel to update him on the status of the Prime Minister.

“That is no pretence and no withdrawal or changing of any position. That is the way I conduct my business…It is not a trite matter; it is not a small matter and I wish that to be registered in this Honourable House. We will continue to do our work and do it to the best of our ability.”

“I don’t believe any protester, any policeman, any politician’s life is worth a protest on the street of St Vincent and the Grenadines, however well-meaning they are,” he said. Yesterday’s protests outside the House of Assembly included members of the Public Service Union, SVG Teachers Union and supporters of the New Democratic Party, who all came together to express their disapproval of amendments to be made to the Public Health Act.

Member of Parliament for Central Kingstown, St Clair Leacock, joined Friday in his comments and noted further that if he were the Commissioner of Police he would have done a better job at protecting the Prime Minister. He also chastised the members on the government benches for chasting the opposition MP’s.

“It is disingenuous for the Unity Labour Party to lay claim to an objection. In fact, they repeatedly celebrate in this country, what they call the roadblock revolution when children were born in the streets of St Vincent. When ambulances couldn’t get to the hospital so we could go on and on and on because there is enough blame to be shared,” Leacock said in Parliament, after listing several examples of violent protests that have taken place in SVG.

He also noted that his colleague and parliamentary representative for West Kingstown, Daniel Cummings was currently in Trinidad, trying to recover from injury to his neck, back and arm – a consequence of being physically thrown out of Parliament by Police, under similar circumstances.

Leacock noted that protests, even of a robust nature, were a part of this country’s democracy.

“That said…I do not take kindly to the physical injury to the Honourable Prime Minister but as firmly as I address that regret, that remorse, and with all of the sincerity, I am saying to you Madam Speaker, if I was the Commissioner of Police today in St Vincent and the Grenadines, I would not have allowed the Prime Minister to alight his vehicle at the point of the Coreas trading where there’s an angry crowd and to walk… outside of his vehicle where he is sheltered and protected, through that crowd, into the Parliament building.”

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Free movement of  people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Front Page
    Free movement of people in 4 Caricom states begins tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Many Vincentians and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nationals are welcoming the decision by four CARICOM governments to institute the free moveme...
    ‘Unprincipled  non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Front Page
    ‘Unprincipled non-state operators in Europe seeking to pollute” elections in SVG – PM Gonsalves
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, told the United Nations (UN) General Assembly a few days ago that entities in the international sphere are seeking...
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50  businesses in East Kingstown
    Front Page
    Bramble promises $1 million from CBI money for 50 businesses in East Kingstown
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), moved its campaign to Sion Hill last Saturday, September, 27,2025 as it seeks to retain its hold on the Eas...
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Front Page
    PM calls at U N meeting for better deal for Taiwan, Haiti
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves renewed his call at the United Nations for the inclusion of Taiwan in the organisation’s specialised agencies. Deli...
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Front Page
    Over EC$700,000 paid to VincyMas 2025 Winners
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    More than EC$700,000 in prize money was handed out to the 2025 VincyMas winners, on Sunday night, September, 28,2025, at Carnival City, Victoria Park....
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Press Release
    Caribbean launches Shelter Working Group to boost Disaster Preparedness
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    As the Atlantic Hurricane season reaches its peak, more than 47 disaster management professionals from across the Caribbean and beyond have joined for...
    News
    Rose Place woman  remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    From the Courts, News
    Rose Place woman remanded for threatening to “blow out” man’s head
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A woman who resides at Rose Place was remanded after threatening to “blow out” a farmer’s head. Rasharma Pollard appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’...
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    From the Courts, News
    Court grants father’s request for jail time for his son
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    A father’s request was granted when his son, who had pointed a gun at him, was imprisoned. Simon Simmons appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court ...
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    News
    Cervical cancer initiative launched in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented and even eliminated, provided that countries strengthen their vaccination, screening, ...
    Prayer sustains woman  caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    News
    Prayer sustains woman caring for her husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease
    Webmaster 
    September 30, 2025
    The world recognized Alzheimer’s Day on September, 21, 2025, but for the Muhammad family, of Largo Height, Alzheimer’s is an everyday reality that is ...
    Librarian and Poet uses  spoken-word as a relief Valve
    News
    Librarian and Poet uses spoken-word as a relief Valve
    Webmaster 
    September 26, 2025
    Often times, people’s struggles, insecurities, physical issues and inner pain are masked by an exterior that looks strong, poised and well put togethe...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok