Lawyers say they intend to challenge DPPs ruling

05.FEB.08

The mother of the woman who has accused this country’s Prime Minister of rape spoke out today, saying that there is no truth to the suggestion that charges brought against the Prime Minister are politically motivated.{{more}}

June Andrews, the mother of the 36-year-old policewoman says that she is in fact a staunch supporter of Dr Gonsalves’ Unity Labour Party (ULP).

Andrews said that she was in Canada when her daughter called her and related what had allegedly happened.

She said that on her return to St Vincent and the Grenadines, she met with Commissioner or Police (COP) Keith Miller and was dissatisfied with how he dealt with them.

“He told me I should get my daughter to calm down,” she said, adding that the COP advised that her daughter take vacation leave, and even offered to send her on study leave.

“I have copies of my conversation with the Commissioner…on tape,” she said.

Meanwhile attorney for the alleged victim, Kay Bacchus Browne said that she was concerned that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was not independent.

“It is vital for the rule of law that the matter be tried in the court,” Bacchus Browne said.

“Let Dr Gonsalves have his day in court,” she pleaded.

Another of the attorneys for the alleged victim, Nicole Sylvester, who is also the President of the Human Rights Association here, said that the DPP has made a finding and brought it in the court of public opinion, rather than allowing justice to have its full course.

“This is the darkest day for rule of law in our country,” Sylvester said.

The lawyers indicated that while the DPP has decided to discontinue the action against Dr Gonsalves, they are exploring all options and intend to challenge his ruling.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has reiterated his innocence and said that the DPP acted with fairness and a judicial discretion.

“He is not a partisan to any personal cause,” Dr Gonsalves said.

“I am fully satisfied that all right-thinking persons at home and abroad are supportive of the DPP’s fair and reasonable exercise of his constitutional authority and discretion,” Dr Gonsalves said.

Dr Gonsalves said that during the time that the two private criminal complaints were pending, he has not been served with any statements or supporting evidential material by his accuser’s four lawyers.

“My lawyers have advised me that as the accused person I was entitled in the circumstances, to prompt and reasonable disclosure of such statements and supporting material from the private prosecutors,” Dr Gonsalves said.

“Clearly, those among the private prosecutors who are self-proclaimed “Human Rights” activists have had at no material time given any or due consideration for my human and legal rights,” Dr Gonsalves said, in a press conference earlier today.

Dr Gonsalves said that he remained resolute and will continue, as he had said, to do his job as usual.

Dr Gonsalves said that while he is strong, the situation has been painful to both him and his family.

“Among my principal obligations, in this difficult period, have been to my three children who are still at school,” he said, adding however “My inner core has not been pierced by my accusers and the politically-motivated, self-appointed would be tormentors of Ralph.”

Dr Gonsalves also threatened: “Those who seek my political head at all costs are on an ignoble quest to damage or destroy me by any means necessary, will in time pay a heavy price.”