PM denies allegations

Calling it an attempt by his political adversaries to damage him politically and to discredit him in the eyes of the people, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has denied rape allegations made against him by a 36-year-old policewoman.{{more}}

Yesterday, Thursday, January 31st, the policewoman, in a sworn statement before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young, said that on January 3, she was raped by Dr Gonsalves at the Prime Minister’s official residence at Old Montrose.

“I categorically deny these allegations. They are false and malicious, I am wholly innocent of them,” Dr Gonsalves said, flanked by his wife Eloise, Cabinet ministers, and members of his legal team.

Dr Gonsalves said that a letter concerning the matter, dated January 26, was sent to the Commissioner of Police by his accuser’s lawyers. He quoted an excerpt from the Commissioner’s response to that letter:

“I regret to state that I have found the tone of your letter to be extremely negative, because you have practically accused me of having done nothing about the matter…. However, I had the matter investigated and those investigations did not reveal any evidence of wrong-doing by the Hon. Prime Minister…. As you and your colleagues are aware, the police do not arrest or charge any person for an alleged criminal offence, unless the police are satisfied that there is enough creditable evidence to establish guilt,” the Commissioner’s letter states, Prime Minister Gonsalves said.

The Commissioner is quoted by Dr Gonsalves as also stating in his letter that if credible evidence is produced, “The police would carry out the duties which the law requires of us.”

Dr Gonsalves said that he has given a statement to the police on the matter, in which he denied the allegation. While saying that it was not in good judgment for him to reveal the contents of his statement to the police to the media, Dr Gonsalves however said the following: “(She) was detailed as a Special Service Unit (SSU) Officer at the official residence of the Prime Minister at the material time on the day in question in her SSU uniform and armed with an M-16 Assault Rifle in her hand.”

Dr Gonsalves said that he is confident that what he termed “All the conspiracies and plots against me” will be revealed, and vowed to defend himself resolutely.

“I shall not give in to the politics of personal destruction which is enveloping this country and this region,” he said.

As he closed, Dr Gonsalves called for the support of Vincentians, and vowed to continue his work schedule, at home and abroad as usual.