Nature Isle News (NIN) has learned about plans by the executive of the United Workers Party (UWP) to suspend the party’s former deputy political leader, Joshua Francis in the wake of the public disclosure of utterances made by Francis in a private conversation that has gone viral.
Francis was recorded without consent, in a private discussion, and the information was then disseminated in the public domain.
In that conversation, the former Roseau South parliamentary representative and also former deputy political leader criticized and blamed members of his party for his political demise because he believes his growing popularity was seen as a threat.
He further accused some of his colleagues of being the “culprits of his public humiliation” which later led to his arrest, in a sexual assault matter. The charge has since been dropped.
Francis also described Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit as a better leader than his party’s own, Lennox Linton.
Speaking to NIN before the General Council meeting on November 7, 2021. President of the UWP Isaac Baptiste disclosed that the purpose of the meeting was “to set the date for the delegates conference.”
“According to our constitution our delegates conference is normally set to be held in November, but since we are not able to have it in November, the General Council has to approve another date,” he said.
When questioned about a resolution to expel or suspend a member he denied that such was the case. “I am not aware of that, whoever gave you that information has it all wrong,” Baptiste stated.
However, a close source told NIN, that the General Council meeting took a decision to suspend Francis for six months in the first instance.
The membership also set the date of December 12, 2021, for its delegates conference to elect a leader and other party officials.
At the meeting, it was also decided that delegates would assemble at four different locations for the conference in order to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.
UWP president Isaac Baptiste, speaking on Q95’s Hot Seat yesterday, confirmed that the party’s general council had met and taken a decision regarding Francis’ utterances. However, he stated that the party wanted to ensure that the former deputy leader was informed of the decision before it was made public.
When contacted Joshua Francis, the former deputy political leader of the party says for now, ” no comments.”
Find an attached interview with UWP President Isaac Baptiste. https://natureisle.news/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Isaac-Baptiste-President-UWP.mp3