Public Works and Ports Minister, Ian Pinard, has resigned as a cabinet minister in light of what he said are allegations of inappropriate behavior made against him.
Pinard, who is also the MP for Soufriere, tendered his resignation to Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, on Wednesday with immediate effect.
“In recent days allegations of serious inappropriate behavior have been made against me in the media and elsewhere which the public rightly is and has been most concerned about,” he said in a statement late Wednesday. “I believe I have a moral and fiduciary responsibility to address you on this matter.”
He added, “In light of these allegations, I consider my continued presence in the cabinet can adversely impact the important work this government is doing and must continue to do for the people of Dominica .”
Pinard noted that in order for him to more appropriately address the allegations against him, and also to focus on other important personal matter, he, on Wednesday, tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister.
He, however, pointed out that he will continue to serve the constituency of Soufriere as Member of Parliament.
“I will continue to serve my constituents of the Soufriere constituency pending what I am confident will be a successful conclusion of this matter,” he stated.
In his statement, Pinard thanked Skerrit for giving him the opportunity to serve “our blessed country at the highest level.”
“I would also like to thank the constituents of the Soufriere Constituency for the support and confidence they have reposed in me,” he stated. “I assure you of my continued readiness to serve you.”
Below is a video of Pinard’s statement.
Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has said he will act decisively on allegations of inappropriate behavior by high-ranking members of society which have been developing in Dominica over the past few days.
The Prime Minister told a welcome rally held for him at the Canefield Airport on Tuesday afternoon that he is aware of the allegations and is expecting a full briefing as early as tonight on the matter and others.
“I am aware of widespread concerns among the population concerning alleged inappropriate behavior of three adults in positions of trust and influence of our society,” he said. “I wish to state at this point and on this stage tonight that I have only just returned to Dominica and is looking forward as early as tonight to full briefing from the Acting Prime Minister and all relevant office holders with whom I would normally confer after a long period of absence from the country.”
He pointed out that after he has been brought up to speed on all that have been happening, he will act.
“I will act decisively on any and all matter requiring my attention and intervention,” the Prime Minister said.
Over the past few days, the police have been reportedly investigating alleged inappropriate behavior of some high-ranking members of society, involving a minor. However, so far the police have not made any official statement on the matter.
Meanwhile The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force has commenced investigations into allegations of unlawful and inappropriate conduct by three male adults, Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Acting Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste, has revealed.
He said the report on the investigations is in an effort to quell public anxiety and also to protect the interest of innocent citizens.
“I wish to inform the general public of the developments relating to information tendered to law enforcement officials by a 15-year-old female and her family,” he said on Wednesday. “The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force has commenced investigations of unlawful and inappropriate conduct by three adult males.”
He noted that by the weekend the Dominica Police Force will be in a position to shed further light on those investigations and also to advise on any consequent cause of action.
Meantime, Jno Baptiste appealed to members of the Dominican public, at home and abroad, “particularly the media” to cooperate with law enforcement by allowing the investigations to run their full course.
“The administration of justice is hindered when rampant speculations and falsehoods are used to hinder and contaminate the investigative process,” he explained.
The businessman is expected to appear in court on Friday, March 4, 2016 on allegations of unlawful and inappropriate conduct involving a minor.
He has been in custody since Tuesday.
DNO has been informed that the police have also detained an opposition parliamentarian as part of the probe into the matter. DNO was reliably informed that he was being questioned late into Thursday night.
DNO has also been reliably informed that another individual is to be detained today in relation to the same matter..