CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) St Lucia’s Deputy PM Dr Ernest Hilaire plans a lawsuit against an Opposition activist over allegations that he was involved in financial impropriety when he served as a senior official of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
In an address to Parliament in which he sought to defend his professional and political integrity, Hilaire, who served as Chief Executive of the then West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) from 2009 to 2012, said that the activist had gone on the local media accusing him of being involved in the transaction.
“The most bizarre one has been Nancy Charles, she has been everywhere, especially last week, saying a lot of things including Mr Speaker, playing some recording from Michael Holding (former West Indies cricketer) about something that happened at West Indies cricket, a loan that was made in December 2013.
“Mr Speaker, let me get it right….December 2013, I was not even working at the West Indies Cricket Board. I was the (St Lucia) High Commissioner in London,” Hilaire said, adding that “something of a loan that was made in 2013 and imputing I was involved, live on television on a talk show,” And she goes on and on. The usual thing, joint account, this and that, Mr. Speaker…I have allowed it to go on and on. People from all over the world, fellow ministers, friends, I go on and on.
“It stops with Nancy Charles today. She said last week, that I cannot respond. I can’t even sue her …but Nancy Charles will get a letter today, tomorrow at the latest to appear in the courts to prove all the things she said and to give all her evidence that the things she said are true”.
Hilaire said he also had a warning for others, who have said next year will be war leading up to the 2026 general election.
“They have declared war, they are saying all types of things Mr Speaker, and it has been going on and on, they have been marching …well I have no intention next year to just continuing in the same mold of being a nice loyal member of the cabinet as a minister.”
“Next year I am going to be a political fighter too,” he said, adding that his fight will be a different one “starting with Nancy Charles.
“You will have to come to court…and anyone that can say anything about Ernest Hilaire about corruption will have to stand up and come to a court of law and prove it,” said Hilaire, who said he has also been accused of receiving at least one billion dollars under the controversial Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI), where the government affords citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of St Lucia.