Former Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas issued a personal statement in the National Assembly Wednesday claiming that he no longer carries a diplomatic passport and put the blame squarely at the feet of the current PM the Hon Dr Timothy Harris. Opposition Leader Douglas said he felt the need to set the record straight because of claims to the contrary.
Dr Douglas said he felt the need to clear the air following an April 23rd radio statement made by the foreign affairs minister Mark Brantley recently.
“…I have said privately and publicly that there was no truth to that particular matter and so I want to give an explanation because in April of last year I submitted my previous diplomatic passport which I held and asked for a new diplomatic passport according to the policy which was being pursued by my government in the sense that former heads of state and heads of government have always had diplomatic passports. I am told Mr Speaker that the application was received by the office of the Prime Minister, that the Prime Minister requested to have and sent to him from foreign affairs the diplomatic passport which was not expired but which of course indicated that I was Prime Minister and naturally had to be submitted for a new one to be re-issued” Douglas said.
Dr Douglas pointed out that all previous heads of government in SKN were granted diplomatic passports. Dr Douglas further stated categorically that he applied for a passport since April 15, 2015 but was told that this was refused by PM Harris.
PM Dr Timothy Harris then rose to object to Dr Douglas’ statement and indicated that no one had submitted documents on behalf of Dr Douglas, and that the Permanent Secretary Elvis Newton who Dr Douglas claimed had told him so was deceased.