Dominica alleged to have embarrassed CARICOM

Baroness Scotland
Baroness Scotland

Dominica has come under scrutiny in a regional news publication for behaviour which it is alleged, has caused “confusion and embarrassment” to other CARICOM) governments.

An article which appears in regional online newspaper, Caribbean News Now, states, ” The insistence by the government of Dominica to sponsor the candidacy of a sitting member of the British parliament and former minister in the British government for the post of Commonwealth secretary-general when the office comes up for election in November 2015 is causing confusion and embarrassment to other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments.”

According to the article, the start of a scheduled meeting of CARICOM foreign ministers in New York in the margins of the UN General Assembly last Thursday was delayed when Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal, a Labour Party peer in the British House of Lords, was found to be occupying Dominica’s chair.

The article goes on to state that CARICOM representatives objected to the presence of the former British government minister and “following a hurried discussion outside the meeting room”, she was “quietly asked to leave the room.”

The position of CARICOM governments on several sensitive international matters was scheduled to be discussed at that meeting, Caribbean News Now reports in the article.

“Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit claims that he is sponsoring Baroness Scotland’s candidacy for the post of Commonwealth secretary-general because she was “born in Dominica”, even though she left there when she was just two years old and has never worked for any Dominica government, Caribbean government or Caribbean institution,” the article further states.

It adds that the Baroness’s presence at the CARICOM foreign ministers meeting appeared to be an obvious attempt to promote her Commonwealth candidacy even though other CARICOM nominees for the post were not at the meeting.

At the end of the last CARICOM Heads of government Conference held in Antigua from 1-4 July, 2014, it was agreed by all Caribbean leaders that CARICOM would put forward one candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

“Scotland’s nomination by Dominica does not sit well with other CARICOM governments, which point to the fact that her entire career has been in Britain — she is part of the British establishment and she has worked exclusively for the British government, holding several positions in the government and legislature for 17 years,” the article points out.

It reveals that one senior Caribbean minister asked rhetorically why the baroness is not a UK government nominee, given the many ministerial positions which she has held in the United Kingdom.

Scotland has been a member of the British parliament since 1997 and has served in many ministerial positions in the British government, including that of attorney general of England and Wales.

According to the Caribbean News Now, “she has reportedly never worked for any Caribbean government or Caribbean organisation and, as a senior member of the British government, she is said to have worked for the British government to persuade Caribbean governments to accept British positions.”

The Commonwealth secretary-general is elected to a maximum of two four-year terms and the incumbent, Kamalesh Sharma of India, is due to demit office in April 2016 on the expiration of his second term. Sharma’s successor is due to be elected at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in November 2015.

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114 Comments

  1. FAST N FURIOUS
    September 30, 2014

    “TELL DEM I SAY DAT!”
    Listen to TALK in the morning on Q with Mat and you will lies and propaganda.
    Don’t forget from 8.00 am- Propaganda and lies.
    “Tell dem I say that!”

    • change must come
      September 30, 2014

      do you ever listen to yourself or think before before you speak? that’s what dlpites are all about. do you ever try to listen or find the truth about any issue in da? I feel so sorry for you. people like you that have the country how it is and tony and the dlp heads will always continue to fool you all.

  2. LAPLEE
    September 30, 2014

    Dominica was once well respected going back all the way when the Freedom party administrtion ruled. Eve under Mr. Edison James government. This admin. is being run like a communist country. Our image need to be changed by voting this government out and electing people who know what they are doing.
    The Baroness is not qualified for this position plain and simple.

    • Green Suga
      October 3, 2014

      Really…you then suggest someone who is of similar qualification, or more and not DEAD.

      • Anne Winn
        December 9, 2015

        Ronald Sanders actually lives in and knows the issues of the Caribbean. Is Baroness Scotland going to give up here peerage , her seat in the house of Lords, her residence in England. She left Dominica when she was two years old and as far as I know has had 0 experience in Caribbean affairs. So why would the PM put forward such a candidate over the objections of our neighbors?

  3. FAST N FURIOUS
    September 30, 2014

    All they(Matt,Angelo,UWP and Q) do is spread propaganda and lies!
    Dem guys dangerous and will do and say anything to get onto power.

  4. Mark
    September 30, 2014

    Fact are a stuborn thing. This was reported by Media outlets, yet the PM and his henchmen are blaming the opposition.

  5. `
    September 30, 2014

    this is just another political distraction by uwp operatives.

    • change must come
      September 30, 2014

      just like the flagarism by dlp was a distraction to the truth.

  6. Horrified
    September 30, 2014

    Lonesome does not seem to have a clue about the rules and procedures governing CARICOM. Let me educate you. If a country wishes to nominate an individual to any regional or international positio that information is submitted to CARICOM. By the nominating country. Subsequently, at a meeting where this matter is to be discussed among other agenda items, that person is introduced at the appropriate time to make a presentation after which he or she leaves the meeting.

    At no time can that individual sit in on the entire meeting. So while Dominica is free to propose a nominee it cannot unilaterally invite such a person to attend a CARICOM meeting. That invitation must come from CARICOM. So Llonesome get your facts right and stop continuing to support something that is totally wrong and puts Dominica in a bad light.

  7. Bds
    September 30, 2014

    What she brings is something different and a broader more commercial and open minded view. She is Dominican, we should be proud she wants to stand and that such a woman in her position wants yo represent. Stop criticising and instead thnk of the positivity and wealth of experience she can bring to the table. Looking through different lenses. Being Dominican, living there and bring the same of the same to the table isn’t always right and Dominican needs to come with different too. People need to move forward not backwards and she brings forward, experience, ideas, freshness and someone who is proud of her roots and wants to bring her experience she has gained the UK home to Dominica, how can that be wrong. We should be embracing and proud she is representing her own and wants a place on the table

    • MGN
      September 30, 2014

      In full agreement. In order for Dominica to move forward in the World, it is going to have to draw from experience from Dominicans all over the World……

    • change must come
      September 30, 2014

      no one is criticizing the baroness is skerritt and the way he wants to control everything and thinks he can control the caricom heads also. he thinks that what he says must always go. this time he forget is not da he was.

    • just saying
      September 30, 2014

      How is she bringing home anything to Dominica? Do you think she’ll move to Dominica? She didn’t get nominated by England so she wants to be nominated by Dominica lol. I wonder how much more naive Dominicans can become.

    • Green Suga
      October 3, 2014

      Domincans needs to come out of the dark ages and small island mindedness…I fully support your comment Bds

  8. NEG
    September 30, 2014

    Linton is on the band-wagon again?

  9. September 29, 2014

    we need to hear something from the prime minister on this matter. this does not sound good and i repeat the prime minister and not tony, l. lawrence, crazy or bonnie & clyde.

  10. Horrified
    September 29, 2014

    THE BARONESS SCOTLAND OF ASTHAL NOMINATION BY DOMINICA FOR THE POST OF
    COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY GENERAL

    Background
    The post of Commonwealth Secretary General is a prestigious position normally held by distinguished career diplomats or eminent persons who have made their mark in one way or the other in the Commonwealth.
    The Commonwealth comprises fifty-three (53) countries which are sovereign independent states. Its member nations include countries as small as Vanuatu in the Pacific to Canada, India and the United Kingdom as well as several African states.
    The post of Commonwealth Secretary General becomes vacant after being held by the sitting Commonwealth Secretary-General for two four-year terms. The position therefore becomes vacant in November 2015 when the present Secretary-General, Mr Kamalesh Sharma who is an Indian national vacates the post.

    The United Kingdom candidates
    It would appear that the United Kingdom which is one of the largest contributors to the Commonwealth budget (an estimated 30%) had first indicated that it would support Baroness Valerie Amos for the position. It therefore suggested to the Government of Guyana that it should co-sponsor her as its nominee, since she is Guyanese born but migrated to the United Kingdom when she was two years old. Of course, the Guyanese government would have nothing to do with this. Failing this, Baroness Scotland of Asthal was put forward and Dominica agreed to co-sponsor her as its candidate. She was born in Dominica but migrated to the UK at seven years old.
    These two Baronesses who are sitting Peers in the House of Lords have lived for most part of their lives in the United Kingdom. None of them have visibly or tangibly contributed to the development of any of the countries of their birth. They have both held ministerial portfolios in the United Kingdom Government. So the question is what qualifies any of them to be nominees by any of the two Caribbean countries for such a position? HM Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth; the Commonwealth Secretariat which is the official headquarters of the Commonwealth is located in London so we may as well call this the British Commonwealth if Baroness Scotland of Asthal not of Roseau is selected as the next Commonwealth Secretary-General! Mind you, she did not and could not choose to be called Baroness Scotland of Roseau as she resides in a very exclusive community in the UK thereby her title.
    The Caricom Debate
    It is not unusual for CARICOM countries to put forward a slate of candidates for such positions as has been done in the past. It is understood that there are at least three other Caricom nationals who have been nominated by their countries for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General and none of them includes Baroness Scotland of Asthal. And neither has Caricom yet decided on a consensus candidate. However, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has seen it fit to impose Baroness Scotland on Caricom going as far as to send her to the Caricom Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting which was held in May . She was asked to leave the meeting room since as a sitting member of the United Kingdom House of Lords she could not be privy to discussions on sensitive issues pertaining to Caricom. Not having learnt from this episode, the Prime Minister of Dominica proceeds to include her in Dominica’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September and on top of that she attends another meeting of Caricom Ministers of Foreign Affairs being held in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. She is again asked to leave the meeting room to her own embarrassment and that of Caricom and the Caricom Secretariat.
    The Analogy
    Having Baroness Scotland of Asthal at any meeting of Caricom is tantamount to having a member of the United States Congress or the Governor-General of Barbados or elsewhere representing Dominica at the Caricom Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. How can a sitting member of the British House of Lords be in a position to take decisions affecting independent Caricom sovereign states? This is ridiculous. We may as well be back as colonies of the UK and dispense with any independence we think we have. And this permitted by a Prime Minister who is always bashing the West in favour of his favourite donors – China and Venezuela to name a few.
    Conclusion
    It is time for us to support our own eminently capable nationals who have served our countries with distinction and who have a thorough and unassailable knowledge of the Commonwealth. It is time for Prime Minister Skerrit to stop making a fool of himself resulting in Dominica becoming a laughing stock in the regional and international field. Baroness Scotland may be well placed to be a sitting member of the House of Lords but that experience is no qualification to fill the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General.

    • Femme San Joseph
      October 1, 2014

      This comment is long in words but short on critical facts.

      Baroness Scotland’s candidacy for the post of Secretary General of the Commonwealth has never been supported by the UK Government. They gave their support to Baroness Amos. It seems that they have decided not to pursue that further.

      Since 2010 Baroness Scotland has been free to accept or turn down any post offered to her. She is not officially a member of the British Government or the Opposition.

      It would perhaps help also to know that members of the House of Lords are of two types: hereditary and life peers. Hereditary inherited from their ancestors and their children can inherit from them. Life peers are given the membership for life, their children cannot inherit from them. Life peerages are given for outstanding contribution in a particular field. In Baroness Scotland’s case in Law. Members who do not hold office for the Government or Opposition are free to practice professionally and hold posts such as Secretary General of the Commonwealth. There is no conflict of interest.

  11. Lonesome
    September 29, 2014

    If The Baronesss was the one asked to leave her seat. If The Dominican Government was the one responsible for placing her in that seat I do not see how it is that CARICOM is the one embarassed. I see it as CARICOM embarassing a distinguished Dominican and The Government of Dominica. But its interesting that the same article appeared in numerous online papers with the same twist. And as far as I am aware Dominica is first an independent country before it is considered part of CARICOM. So even though the Prime Minister or the Foreign Ministry handled this badly, CARICOM is totally out of place to ask our representative to vacate her seat. CARICOM does not select our representative, and we do not need CARICOM’s approval on which Dominican we select to represent us. CARICOM only needs guarantee of confidentiality in its dealing with us on whatever matter being attended to at the time. Its obvious that some of the other islands are fearful that this high powered Dominican is likely to outclass whoever they may have in mind to nominate. Some of CARICOM did not support our Dr. Clarissa Etienne when we called on them. But its likely if the PM chooses to go ahead with Baroness Scotland he has received the Blessings of the Alba countries. And usually they are more reliable than our CARICOM parthers.

    • The mouth
      September 30, 2014

      What are you talking about. CARICOM did support Dr Etienne, without which it would have been impossible for her to have been elected Director of PAHO. What do Alba countries have to do with the Commonwealth? They are not members of the Commonwealth.

      If Baroness Scotland was chosen, as a sitting member of the British parliament, where would her loyalties lie?

      • Lonesome
        September 30, 2014

        There are some Caricom members within ALBA. But your point taken. But do your research on the Dr. Etienne vote and you would be surprised.

      • Femme San Joseph
        October 3, 2014

        Baroness Scotland’s is so highly regarded because of her ability to be impartial. Dominica and CARICOM must put forward a candidate who will be impartial and represent the interests of all the 53 members of the Commonwealth. By supporting her Dominica is saying that it has citizens who are world class and capable of leading the world. When such people stand up we all stand up. Let us support those who achieve inspite of all the obstacles in their way.

    • Anonymous
      September 30, 2014

      Dominica is a part of CARICOM and not the other was around. Therefore when meeting as a member of CARICOM we have to abide by its rules.

    • Doc. Love
      September 30, 2014

      Lonesome cannot be listening to news coming out of Dominica. After it was said that Caricom Officials had politely asked the Baroness to vacate the seat, Mr. Henderson told Dominicans that during a meeting of personal interest, the Baroness was politely requested to vacate the seat, we have to assume it was by him. Regardless to who had asked her to go outside, the Baroness should have never been put in all that row row, all that comedy.

  12. first lady
    September 29, 2014

    She is capable of doing the job and most of all she is Dominican whether u like it or not her passport state place of birth Dominica give her a break and rally behind with her british experience she help Caircom move forward stop hating and see what this Brit/Islander can do.

    • fabric
      September 30, 2014

      Note here that the issue in question is not Scotland’s qualification to sit as commonwealth secretary-general. Instead it is her presence in that forum, the wrongdoing of our prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit, that is in question.
      Stick to the Issue.
      As you can see Dominica well supports and nominates her. The decision of the Government of Dominica represents all Dominicans, unfortunately so at times. But the question is what will the other CARICOM heads decide. Certainly not what we as individual Dominicans decide (as we have on voice representing us in those fora).
      So once again, let’s stop fighting and just stick to and discuss the issue. WRONG IS WRONG. RIGHT IS RIGHT

  13. Anonymous
    September 29, 2014

    But a suppose to be intelligent lady should not fall for this embarrassment. Skerrit again. Just for her to campaign in St joe wii. Stupes come on people stop making one man do that

  14. blackwoman
    September 29, 2014

    hmph! yes skerrit, you will tired have us like papi-show!

  15. B.E. B.
    September 29, 2014

    Her father is from Antigua and worked in Dominica as police officer when they used to be recruiting police men from the Leeward islands, her mum is from Vieille Case and they moved her up to Europe at an early age, she has never worked in Dominica or any of the Caribbean islands, so why on earth should she be representing Dominica?

    • B.E. B.
      September 29, 2014

      Her father “was” from Antigua, he’s now deceased

      • Lu Belle
        September 30, 2014

        And your point is???

    • Malgraysa
      September 30, 2014

      You are right, she moved to England when she was only two years old. She is a U.K. citizen, went to school there, made her career there, was a member oft eh U.K. labour government and is a life Peer in the House of Lords. Yes, she is al;os a Dominican by birth but how can she possibly be part of a Dominica Govt. delegation at the U.N.?

  16. zagayan
    September 29, 2014

    More comess!

  17. browneyesgirl
    September 29, 2014

    hmmmm : :(

  18. it does not matter
    September 29, 2014

    When is the election that’s what I am interested in.

  19. Jejep
    September 29, 2014

    I know her personally. Born in Dominica. Speaks the Creole language better than I can. Never forgot where she came from..neither her country nor her ancestral home. Ensured that her sick mother was always well taken care of. Made a name for herself professionally. Even if her achievements are all british based, she is never shy about saying, ” mwen fet en Domnik.”

    • Anonymous
      September 30, 2014

      All true that but tit still does not justify what Skerrit did and what is more she is a well educated intelligent womnan and should have known better than to collude with Skerrit in that.

      • Green Suga
        October 3, 2014

        it must be known that the Baroness colludes with no one…NO ONE so do not rubbish her integrity

  20. dafriend
    September 29, 2014

    Skerrit only gets away with his foolishness and dictatorial behaviour in Dominica. We have not got the guts to stand up against him, unlike others (as just seen).

  21. REAL!!!!!!!
    September 29, 2014

    How could this well educated and travelled Baroness allow a government to put her in this embarrassing position.

    I guess she trusted the administration and felt they would not put her in this compromising situation.

    I guess you learnt the hard way, do not trust this GOVT and do your own research next time on the requirements needed to qualify for these INTL GOVT appointed positions.

    They were about to use you so everything happens for a reason. You can now keep your integrity!!!!!

  22. Ravine
    September 29, 2014

    the Dictator in Roosevelt Skerrit shows its face whenever and wherever he puts his head. Am happy the region and the world see what we are going through in Dominica with this autocratic type leader.
    And the shame and disgust does not stop as spin doctor Vince Henderson comes with his usual lies and deceit to ridicule anyone he wants with his laugh down while he talks as if to say is a big joke..

  23. Mary Pierre
    September 29, 2014

    I endorse the pm nomination .
    She is a woman of intelligence and influence..
    I think it’s one of the best thing he has done so far.
    Let’s all pray a Dominican can hold another international position with distinction .

  24. 4 ALL to see
    September 29, 2014

    Another embarrassment in the face of Dominicans. This government has done more to hurt the good name of Dominica than anything else. Wow! Skerrit and his cabal sponsoring British politician? What’s your cut Skerro?

  25. Lang Mama
    September 29, 2014

    I doh know the lady but broda she doesn’t look someone you want to mess with nuh. Mwem men kwere ce te un nomme qui ca abeyere cor un femme. Mwen te lais kwere ir tais un wrestler

    I am Dominica are you- if so tell me what I say

    All you too pokwit- some of you thinking the same thing but afraid to say it. Lang Mama speaketh the trooof.

  26. Leslie Shillingford
    September 29, 2014

    Being part of the British system can be a distinct advantage. If she was a professional soccer player we would be glad for her to represent us here in the Caribbean.

    • JoJo
      September 30, 2014

      Leslie, as the saying goes: IF my uncle was a woman she would be my auntie”
      The point is Baroness Patricia Scotland is not a professional footballer. Stick with the issue please.

  27. Doc. Love
    September 29, 2014

    According to Mr. Vince Henderson, he was the one who politely requested that the Baroness leave her seat during a cession of meetings they were having, he referred to the cession in question as number six. He also reported that the Baroness paid for all her expenses to be at the General Assembly. In my opinion, her promotion was more of an interference and a distraction then trying to find her a job. Skeritt must understand , Dominica is not a political estate bestowed on him by his French father. Dominicans must be informed on a timely basis when major decisions are to be made on our behalf, because when he messes up, he is not the only one who is seen as the joker of the Caribbean.

  28. Anonymous
    September 29, 2014

    Skerrit doh tired make an arse of himself? Why he so greedy: CARICOM head Dominican, PAHO head Dominican. Those appointments did not take other countries to support the Dominican? He does not intend to support any other countries in dem top jobs den?

    So rogue that man rogue he ignores all previous of agreement tacit or otherwise to force his nominations through and of someone who the rest of the leaders do not like or think qualifies as a Caribbean nominee. It looks like he is about to embarrass Scotland too or she eh care how she gets the job? Is she one of those?

    But that good for all of them and us: We like it so! We free!

  29. va resident
    September 29, 2014

    Prime MinisterSkerrit will continue to make himself the laughing stock of Dominica, Caricom and the world. Labourites feel proud about Leader, ‘the blind leading the blind.Dominicans be aware.’

  30. john paul
    September 29, 2014

    Welcome to the world of Skeritt,he tried to put Alex Boyd Knight as a nominee for President while She was in the seat of the Speaker of the House,that meant She would have to accept Her own name and possibly preside over an election if the Opposition Leader or any 3 Pariamentarians jointly were to put forward a nominee.
    When She declined and His next nominee declined due to She being a US Citizen he then pulled Charlo from His Cabinet and then”It’s had it”
    so You must understand what Skeritt wants Skeritt gets at least here.
    It will be so interesting to see if Tony ,Alix and the Urban Council Chairman demonize the whole Caricom to justify Skeritt’s move and even while they do Skeritt might call the station and inform them that he withdrew his nominee much in the same way in parliament he stalled Matthew Walter from great embarrassment.
    I think we are seeing the effects of what more than two terms in office has on a Prime minister .
    I am a firm believer in the two term policy and I will vote for the Party who agrees to legislate it!

  31. Peter karam
    September 29, 2014

    Tony astaphan PM press secretary says this never happened and worse Vince Henderson was on DBS prime news saying he asked her to go outside, so something happened den

  32. Peter J
    September 29, 2014

    Skerro tried a fast one on his CARICOM partners but dem guys say not this this time dimples. We give you Larocque, we give you support for Clarissa Ettiene, now you trying a fast one on us, not this time.
    But how de Baroness fall for that? She should know that Ralph and these other guys not in Skerrit opportunism.