Prominent pollster Peter Wickham is denying reports that he was the source of information in a US diplomatic cable on Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, which was obtained by whistle blower site Wikileaks and released to the public.
The Cable, which is currently being circulated, has identified Wickham as the source of information which formed the basis of several allegations that were made regarding Skerrit.
The cable, which was allegedly written by then American Ambassador Mary Kramer, said that Wickham told United States embassy officials in Barbados that leading up to the 2005 general elections in Dominica Barbadian CLICO executive, former CBC Chairman and Dominica Labour Party (DLP) supporter Leroy Parris “provided large sums of under the table money to the Dominica DLP in exchange for business and a diplomatic passport.”
It went on to say the, “Government rewarded Parris with a particularly friendly business environment and his company will soon finance construction of a new housing development in Dominica. Parris was also named a ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ who will help attract investment to the country.”
But in a press release yesterday Wickham has strongly denied the contents of the diplomatic cable and he said he considered the matter as most disturbing turn of events in the history of politics. He said that he is seeking legal advice in the matter.
“It has come to my attention that a Wikileaks cable which is currently being circulated and quoted in different electronic media has identified me (Peter W. Wickham) as the source of information which formed the basis of several improper allegations that were made regarding two current and one former Caribbean Prime Minister,” he said.
Wickham said he considers this a most disturbing turn of events, “which presents me, along with these gentlemen in a negative light and appears to be based largely on information that I have no knowledge of and never conveyed to Ambassador Kramer.”
He said that he has never met privately with Kramer. “I do recall her entertaining about ten journalists, along with myself in 2006, and at this meeting I made reference to an OAS document that I co-authored entitled ‘From Grassroots to the Airwaves’ which is in the public domain and makes general remarks about Caribbean political party financing concerns that I am well-known to have. I, however, did not at that meeting or at any other time, discuss the intimate details of any specific campaign or concerns about any leader with Ambassador Kramer as is being suggested in the commentary on the cable, because I am not privy to such information,” Wickham said.
He also rubbished claims that he was campaign adviser to Skerrit and that he knew of ‘backroom deals’ sources of financing or any quid pro quo which is also being suggested. “These are aspects of the campaign that I neither have nor ever had any knowledge of and therefore could not possibly have spoken to. I have therefore sought legal advice on my options regarding these allegations which can impact negatively on my professional reputation,” Wickham pointed out.
Wickham said he had already contacted a representative at the US Embassy and discussed his concerns extensively. “She has advised that they cannot discuss the contents of these documents since there is no certainty that the documents are authentic,” he said.
Gocha…..they maybe give Peter 2 rum and la-mem he start to day-pa-la.
That’s how the CIA, KGB or any other intelligence agency operates. What appears to be an innocent encounter is a treasure-trove for them. The US Embassy is not going to throw a goodwill cocktail party for journalists without a motive. Here you are sellingout the US Embassy and its modus operandi (MO), inadvertently, I guess. Journalists, students, the clergy politicians and media houses are bribed to collect information or to disseminate propaganda.
Mr Wickham, you’ve been had! Whether unsuspectingly or deliberately, you’ve been bought, allegedly. Legal advice is a cover for your shame. The US Ambassador has diplomatic immunity anyway. You ran up your mouth. Now we have to ascertain whether the allegations made about the passports and special favours are true. Someone has to tell the truth and/or be held accountable.
Patat what have u 2 say?
These days u not posting girl
What happen?
God works in Mysterious way’s. ;)
The voice of the people is the voice of god. And people like peter wickham who allow people to continue to suffer, be unemployed, cant feed their kids, no proper education; have to fall. I say that because they are the ones teaching the politician to lie, deceive and continue to allow people to vote against their own interest.
Now your day has come, cant say that i am happy but it just fruits from your deceitful labor.
More to go… Its inevitable
Question to BUWO and WIKILEAK – If Wickam is not the crook how did the Us agency know about the Cabinet disagreement on the wasted air port expansion project; So much so that Timothy name was mentioned as the main cabinet member who did not support the airport project. Can we assume that there is another Wickam in the Labor Party Cabinet?
Just an observation a lie is like a gremlin the more you pour water and try to cover up the lies is the more that lie proliferates.
THOSE SCUM BAGS ALWAYS SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE WHEN THEY GET CAUGHT
as far as i am concerned if you have nothing to do with that your name will not be mentioned but because you gave your 2 cents your name called. you are part of it it just took youby suprise don’t worry the rest will come soon. people who are guilty are the first oones to say they are not guilty. seek you advise but don’t worry, if you don’t have nothing to do with that what you seeking legal advice for??? you you gonna take to court??? wikileaks, boy please!
Pure rubbish am not going to waste my time and make any more comments.
You would be happy if DNO post a pure legitimate comment that is truthful too. In my opinion the truest comments never show up on here.
ADMIN: So what are you doing here?
America can make you and they can break you. If your affiliaion is to people they dislike they will certainly orchestrate your demise. It is not good to be on their bad side. If America sees you are in bed with Castro, Chavez, Ghaddafi to name a few, they will be on yur case. I am not sure of the authenticity of any of this but I can assure you I am not putting it past them to use these kind of tactics to destabilize the government. As soon as they succeed, I will be back.
Why seek legal advice when all you have to do is file a defamation of character law suit on these blatant lies that the US Embassy released on you. HMMM. I find it strange that the ambassador who is not UWP… just decided to choose Wickham to be the source of the information. I think I will believe with ambassador until proven otherwise. It appears that the reports are unbiased because they released information on both parties.
Well well well as I sit on this LABOR DAY SEP 5 2011, and ponder where this island has been taken by the LABOUR PARTY, and if there is any hope amidst all these accusations….I am yet to form an opinion. The corrupt party in power has no genuine replacement in the opposition and I fear that NO MATTER WHO COMES IN, IT IS GOING TO BE ALL ABOUT SELF AND NOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
With that said I think is damned if you keep them in power and damned if you remove them!!!!
Their is only salvation in Yahweh…
DLP is 54 years old and from the launching the colour of choice was red. Skerrit was not even born so I don’t understand the referrence of the him wearing the same colours as Chavez. This is laughable.
Gosh!are you trying to misunderstand what was said? They did not say he chose the color because of Chavez, they said he is wearing it everywhere like Chavez.
Who ever said the US was ever interested in truth. So WIKILEAKS has decided to let the world see the lies and the corruption of the US.
Who ever said there was weapon of mass destrution in Iraq …wink wink
We can go on and on.
But Peter, I feel your disappointment
This is very funny…. Enen laughable… Mr wickham with all due respect u av no case… Who are u going to sue??? Not angelo and lennox cause they quoted from wikileaks… Not wikileaks cause they released stolen info from the us and not even the us can get a hand on dem. And not the us cause this was stolen confidential internal info… So wats ur issue… So doe try and pretend u innocent
All you still giving all you selves headache over documents the Americans say there is no certainty are authentic?
But while all you talking, we working https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/all-news/economydevelopment/respite-center-for-portsmouth/
Assuming that Wickam is clean ( not even by the stretch of imagination) what else is false?
Is it the campaign funding mess?
Passport prostitution?
Under Table deals?
Villas?
Chavez kiss up?
Bird Island betrayal?
Imported Voters?
Housing Project to be disguised as provided by China soft loan?
Isolation and exclusion of Cabinet in major decisions?
Red Clinic to keep poor people dependent on handouts?
Can somebody tell me which one of the above is absolutely false and fabricated? I would appreciate an honest answer.
It is all true only the Dumb- nicans that are in that cult will dispute the prostitution of Dominica, Dominican Sovereignty by the current administration.
Isn’t it a strange coincidence that Mr Wickham was hired by CBC in December 2009 and the leak in question was dated December 7 2009?
Rookie analyst (aka soft target) spilling the beans at a cocktail party not realizing that even the bar tender was a sleeper agent or bird watcher.
Eggs shouldn’t dance with stones.
Classic espionage on a unsuspecting Moron.. Get him drunk, throw a skirt in his face et voila ! Toute ce qu’un a besoin.
“Skirt” has no impact on us.
Over the years, history has clearly taught us that people at fault are very quick to deny accusations against them and threaten with legal advise as an attempt to shut the truth from going out. Why does Peter have to seek legal advice? Instead of advice he should go streight into legal action. I guess he will not take legal action when he knows he is at fault and therefore feels more comfortable with threats of legal advice. I guess his legal advisor must be the famous pupet we have in Dominica. Good luck this time because he is scratching his head at this time.
who said America is not a @liar’?
Have a read… Although unrelated to this story this will however shed some light……
http://whowhatwhy.com/2011/08/31/now-that-we%E2%80%99re-celebrating-qaddafi%E2%80%99s-end-can-we-get-a-little-truth/2/
Off Course America lies just like every other government or regime. I guess you dislike liars right Zandoli- yes I feel the same way. Let us deal with our backyard then – Is the PM and his government honest.
My question as an honest Dominican is why so many scandals. Conventional wisdom says where there is smoke there is fire and if we continue to call the smoke dust then by the time reality hits the damges may be too much to bare.
Rolling Stone, Governemnt is not the church, so don’t think you gonna get that from them…not even the church is honest…
Well said rolling stone.
WIKILEAK I appreciate your response. If the government is not the church then why so many of us were chanting on the Labor Party platform ” God is Good and good all the time” and why it is we had a spiritual advisor on the payroll. One would think that the spiritual advisor would serve to keep the PM and cabinet honest. It is good to see that somewhere in you heart you know that this PM and his cabinet is filthy corrupt. I sincerely hope that you are teaching your kids to be honest and that where there are lies,disceit, corruption and illegal enrichment chaos and retribution will ensue.
Gadaffi with his money could not stop retribution even if it took 40 years.
After di house burn down, you’ll see dem come and dash it out.
(Barbados Nation) Peter Wickham has been fired as resident analyst on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC) radio and television stations.
Wickham, a political consultant who assumed this post with CBC from December 2009, also hosted the radio talk show Talk Ya Talk and the Sunday night live television programme The People’s Business Live.
Wickham confirmed on Friday that he received a four-line letter on Thursday terminating the services of his organization, Caribbean Development Research Services (CADRES), which is the entity that is contracted to provide the services as resident analyst. The termination is effective September 30.
“No rationale was given,” Wickham said. “Needless to say, I am not pleased.”
“Where there’s a termination letter there’s always the impression conveyed that there was incompetence, misbehaviour, non-performance or underperformance, and I hope that’s not the belief that goes out there,” he added.
Wickham: “I, however, did not at that meeting or at any other time, discuss the intimate details of any specific campaign or concerns about any leader with Ambassador Kramer”
Kubuleaks: “Did you discussed such details with anyone else besides Ambassador Kramer?”
I did not inhale!
Time will tell,
BVI? Maybe you’re not smart enough to realize that more than 85% of the comments on here are from Dominicans in developed countries but the choose not to say that. They didnt ask you where you are located just give your comment and hide in the BVI.
It’s so easy to sell your country for a few dollars by carelessly running your mouth….
u all don’t know how america is once u go against them they will do anything in their power to distroy you america is like a spoiled child once they do not get what they want from you they will fight you for it.so people dont believe every thing they say lieing is their way of life.tell them the truth and they will turn it to suit them.
So go back to your country. Open your eyes and see Skerrit for what he is….
Wickham lying. Some of the things in the Cables like for example how a little corruption is accepted by the electorate are well know public views of Peter Wickham.
As a political advisor to Skerrit he has access to more information that the ordinary Dominican.
An American Ambassador would not send cables to her Government in Washington if she did not trust the source of the information. the style of the wirting is also remarkably similar to Peter Wickham’s.
The man is a spy. Period! Can someone tell me what is the pubishment for espionage under the Dominica Constitution because I would like to see this man tried for his treachery.
Correction – he has /had more information than most members of the cabinet much less for ordinary Dominicans.
Now that hurts! That is really painful.
I so like to hear you…..the fact of the matter is coming off the tips of your fingers…..while Mr. Wickham is a Hero and a whistle blower to some… he is a SPY to others…. I say thank god for the story coming out, regardless of how it did…. If the actions were righteous it would not spark any outrage…. but due to its questionable and shady nature….. wellll…….thank you for spilling the beans Mr. Wickham.
ladies \ Gentlemen,
There are a few questions I have myself on this issue
The Parris individual mentioned in this story, does he possess a Diplomatic Passport?
Secondly, is he indeed a Good will ambassador,who will help attract investment to the country? What investment has he attracted since vested with this title?
Thirdly, was there any business license issued to this individual, or as stated rewarded with a particularly friendly business environment and his company will soon finance construction of a new housing development in Dominica.
If any of these can be proven correct, then someone is definitely lying.
Finally Poster Archie stated the current DLP term will expire in the year 2020…..
IS this correct ?
My fellow Dominicans please pray for PM skerrit psalms 109:8.
Psalms 109:7&8…..When he shall be judged,let him be condemned:and let his prayer become sin.Lethis days be few;and let another take his office.
Lord Jesus, your word says in Matthew 12:25; “Every kingdom divided against its self is brought to desolation or every city or house divided against its self, shall not stand”. We therefore, pray that you would bring massive division within the ranks of those in governance over us and cause this ungodly, despotic, socialist, parasitic ruse, to come crashing down, by confusing their language as in the day of the tower of Babel.
Given that the leaked diplomatic able is genuine:
1) what possible interest would it be to the U.S. ambassador in Barbados to provide her superiors with info. that she knew not to be reliable?
2) Peter Wickham may not have been aware of the true nature of the persons(s) he made these utterances to!
If he is a person , who likes to impress and “play important” he may made such remarks that entirely – or partly from his imagination.He will have an impossible job to sue the U.S. government. Even in the hypothetical case they would agree to defend such a case, Peter Wickham would be put in the dock and face with some deep probing and potentially embarrassing questions.
Whatever the truth is this does undermine a leader, who is already is distrustful of most people around him. Be careful what you say to whom , where and when!
You must remember is is on the other side, i mean…. and those type of people like to talk because they want to be heard….
Well…well..well….
Peter, what else would we expect you to say?
Remember…it is a LEAK…Leaks are never anticipated or expected.
They send you on air to say something in the interest of the image of skerrit, but too late boss.
Your employers in Barbados just fired you over these same leaks, you gonna sue them too?
Allu fellas really taking Dominicans for fools eh? lol
So who is lying? The Americans or Wickham?
This is putting a damper on many of us who thought whatever the Americans say is ‘gospel truth.’
We must remember these cables were never meant to be made public hadn’t Wikileaks obtained them from this dissident soldier who is now languishing in prison. So basically the Americans could say whatever they want among themselves without anyone publicly challenging them.
Plus the Americans doing the same thing world wide when asked to comment on their cables. They keep on saying there is no certainty these cables are authentic.
These Americans are worse than the Chinese or Venezuelans when it comes to lying.
you know all they are saying is true, because we all can see it happening here.
I am not talking about what is “happening here” in general. I am talking about this specific case in which Wickham is saying that he never met with the ambassador to discuss these matters, yet the ambassador is saying he met with her.
So somebody is lying. From the web of deceit the Americans have woven all over the world since these cables were released, I tend to think the Americans are lying.
these cables were never meant to be made public..they were internal…would it make sense for the americans to lie to themselves in their own cables??…or more sense for those implicated to lie and deny…i think its pretty obvious
i have to go with the ambassador because.. these cables were not meant to be made public, and if it was not for wikleaks we would never know about that peter wickham.
if you think of it on that level you will come to your senses.
BUWO,
Open your brain awhile. Do you honestly expect Wickham to admit he gave the US embassy the information? Don’t you think Hartley and them, while bashing him and disappointed in him in private, had to tell him call the media and say something IN THE INTEREST OF SKERRIT?
Don’t you people think? Who wickham going to Sue? The American Embassy? Wikileaks? lol
You people just need to agree that the longest rope in Dominica will soon come to an end!
Generalizing about Americans and Chinese and Venezuelans does not help anyone and verges on terrible prejudice. Focus on the issue at hand more directly.
you see how its done humanist??? when I read your comments i read it in its fullness… before i decide what it is or isn’t. I am giving you the first thumbs up on that comment because I agree completely with what is said…
Buwo as I have noted on the Dominica Net web site, it is time to stop defending and trying to wriggle our way out of the compromising position that the PM has placed us. Is everybody lying? Assuming that the US agency is lying why did they name Wickam and not Hartley or Tom or dick -why Wickam of all people? How long are we going to keep denying or trying to cover up the mass misconduct of the PM. What is iinteresting is that the people who refuse to accept and face reality are now not attacking the contents of the cable as false instead their argument is about the source of the information provided to the US agency.
It is naive to believe that Wickam would lie down and surrender in shame- off course he is going to deny to save his face.That’s the MO of double agents. The first time I met Peter and Hartley I knew that their was something weird and spooky.It was only later when things began to unravel that I was able to confirm my first encounter reaction. Observe that Skerrit hardly defend himself, he refuses to face the media and answer the hard questions.
But even the Americans are saying THERE ARE NO CERTAINTY THE DOCUMENTS ARE AUTHENTIC.
And I beleive the Americans…..we are not sure whether these documents are authentic or not, unless you going to say the Americans are lying. lol lol
That is how Diplomacy works. That is the type of response that the American, British or any other government will,should and continue to provide not just on the WIKILEAK matters but on any matter/information or incidences that could spring embarassment on government officials. If the US or British government want to openly take a regime down then they will go on the attack and dispense damning information about the target regime.
The issue is not about the US government what you must deal with is the contents of the WIKILEAK document. Just be honest with yourself, god and your children. Is Dominica going down the right path.We are now considered the poorest of the OECS whereas 20 years ago we were the flag ship island of the OECS. We can hide , deny and make excuses but unless we face the truth our minds can never be at peace.
No weapon formed against pm shall prosper
So wickham was a weapon? lol
For me I can’t believe anything that comes out of America ,just remember iraq .weapon of mass destruction
lol….it seems so. your comment havin more lmao.
that is petter man???
Amen……..
They can try what they want ,our beloved pm will remain in power ontill 2020.let them talk their rubbish
Archie how come u jump out of your comic book??
Archie who wrote your script?
well, lets wait for tonys spin on that one.
ohh lets indeed!!! i cant wait to hear it!
I think we should stop paying attention to TONY. We should simply ignore what his has to say and demand answers from the PM. After all, did any one of us elect Tony? He is just a distraction from the PM.
Ok well. What else would we expect him to say. How dirty.
Well I hope Wickham get a strongham on this one. They are never involved and always seeking legal advice. I guess attorney Askthefan will be employed on this one to put a go silent spin on this one. But I won’t be surprised if Wickham may have infact divulge that information. He should see himself as a hero if he did, for being able to do the honest and right thing, speaking the truth.
WickedHAM is so Dumb! You wouldnt need to speak to the the ambassador when she have her own undercover agents, which you could have spokent to. So maybe you are right, you never spoke to the US Embassy Ambassador.. but you did speak to someone..LOL!