Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit has waded into the brouhaha that has engulfed the United Workers Party after its Deputy Leader, Joshua Francis, was booted from the position at a delegate’s conference on Sunday.
The matter is presently being widely discussed in Dominica and the Prime Minister said he is not surprised at the way it has unfolded and blamed the leadership style of Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, for the entire matter.
“Lennox Linton is handling this matter the only way he knows,” he said on Kairi’s Heng Program on Monday. “And Dominicans will recall this is what precisely what I was referring too when I advised them, the Dominican people population, during the last election campaign about the leadership style, the ability or the inability of Lennox Linton …and we’ve indicated to the country that this guy is not suited for leadership.”
Francis, who has been embroiled in controversy lately, was relieved of his position at the conference. He was booed when he tried to deliver a speech at the event and subsequently walked out.
Although Skerrit said that matter is for the UWP, it appeared he could not help in adding his voice to it.
“They handle their situations their way, the Labour Party handles situations and such matters completely differently from how the UWP handles their matters,” he stated.
He noted that he is not going to get involved but “it is a matter for the country to determine who is best suited for this country, to lead this country in these difficult times.”
“We have maintained that Linton is not suited for any leadership whatsoever,” the Prime Minister stated. “And it has manifested itself in the manner in which he has been handling this situation … I am not surprised at the way he handled it.”
MP for Soufriere, Ian Pinard, resigned from his post as Minister of Public Works after being embroiled in a controversy similar to that of Francis.
Take your blows! The uwp members should take the blame for not supporting Joshua. Mr. Skerrit is still dented at what he thought was his safest seat Julius Timothy and MR. Francis beat him at his own game, he is still baffled about losing that seat. Who set Joshua up.
dno i believe u should have a poll on the pm statement. SHOULD PEOPLE COMMENT ON THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE PM ON THIS ISSUE?
Linton has finally got rid of Joshua Francis. Many are aware that he wanted to do so for a long time especially when disrespectful and ill-mannered Linton walked off Parliament when the PM was making a speech. Joshua Francis did not follow. This shows the gentleman in him, unlike Linton.
Linton, what you sow, you will reap in time. What goes around comes around in time for you and your gang, all two-fold. Time will tell. Time takes care of all.
Are you listening to yourself? Did you read your comment again before you posted? So it was Lennox who set him up to allegedly have inappropriate contact with a minor? Now who is reaping?
In all of this it all come back to Lennox and the UWP people like you have long forgotten what was done to this child it is all swept under the bridge. When people like yourself look at the effects and not the cause of a problem then our country will continue to wallow in ignorance, injustice and turmoil.
the pot is calling the kettle black.
Skerrit check your sin boy young men need work,tell the young boys where are the jobs at so they could go find some work and make some money to feed their children that is what u should be talking about.
I would like skerrit to tell Mr Linton how he should handle this matter how? let us know how Mr Linton should handle Francis he soon come and join u this is the boys u skerrit love the buy .
fill me in. does the DLP have a deputy leader?
They probably do but only on paper.
Above comment, never mind about us, what about your so called Workers Party, Labour is not fighting we just looking and laughing at the lot of yous.
Comrade,
I subscribe to the statement that it is better to ne thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Buddy what you have put forward on this matter is pure crap with all due respect my friend. You have bigger fish to fry than medle in this when it is known of your damn business. I think the professionals who cry foul over the awarding of the contract to your Barbados who prefer hear from you than this baloney about Lennox Linton, Lennox Linton, Lennox Linton. I am no fan of Lennox Linton for personal reasons but by far he is a better man and leader than you could ever be. Words like accountability, transparency, integrity and respect are some of his watch words, words that both you and your administration stand clear of. We the members of the Dominican society are growing weary of you, your manipulative and divide and rule strategy. If Ian Pinard had refused to resign when you command him to it would be war so shut of damn mouth!!
Comrade where damn wolf in sheep clothing…
Ya so Linton can open his ….. when is labour and the pm cannot not say nothing when is the other way around?
Sounding so baseless, lack of substance..It’s difficult to understand what he’s trying to say..sounding like Donald Trump..Ian resigned from DLP cabinet, Skerrit still think he can talk on this matter? Shameless!!
Dominicans can remain under your spell, while you enjoy a very high standard of living at the expense of the people you fool and the others that aren’t majority enough to change this sickening regime.
I’m not surprised neither that Skerrit didn’t open his mouth to utter one word of condemnation on sexual abuse but finds time to try and throw dirt on Lennox for doing what is expected of him..If your leadership style is so different and seemingly superior why did Ian resign from DLP cabinet?
Are you saying Lennox should let Joshua remain at the helm with that gray cloud over his head? There’s no way to please GOD and Satan at the same time..Skerrit himself would turn around and say look Lennox not pressing for Joshua to do the right thing..Lord have Mercy on your…
Well said.
I am a constituent of Roseau South, I voted for Joshua Francis but I stand for the RIGHTS OF CHILDREN. The UWP under the leadership of Lennox did the right thing. That’s how a true leader should respond.
THE PM ASK FOR ONE COUNTRY STATE and now he fancy his chances. every body forget the real problem and turn to Mr. Skerrit instead. the people truly falling in the trap. when you should concentrate on a deputy leader,pm shift you over thus wasting more time. You all are so unbalanced any body can win you over
But Joshua did not handle the matter well either.
Skerrit, I answer you in your own words: none of your damn business, go to hell!
Oh boy, PM put Bois diab and Cedar wood (flames) in UWP fire pit. LOL.
You skerrit and the members of the ruling party are not the ones to decide whether linton is suitable or not for ruling leading the country.the same way that the population voted for you ,they will decide whether they want to vote for linton or not..you are the only leader who have put dominicans in such a high rate of roro..(gossip)
Mr PM one word ‘transparency’… oh i forgot your administration is not familiar with this term. smh
Doh try dat!
rewind de tape in your head!
Do you remember the day your dlp leader Pierre Charles died?
Don’t you remember de circus?
A close associate senior counsel revealed that when pierro was looking for friends in de party people were biting him and alot of you distanced yourselves from de former Prime Minister Pierre Charles.
Poisoned chalice?
Suck salt!
The only people that will support Skerrit with his nonsense are those that stupid like him
With a name like yours, you are the stupid one, brainless. You call people who are much more intelligent as you are, stupid. You are the one.
If you or Skerrit had half my brains, you guys would gone clear,
Above comment, Tet chen i was about to answer to your comment but then i said why bother about a jackass.
Is not that you know. The thing is you realize that you are a bigger jackass so you checking like it not making sense to dis your own type
your name suit you well, parasites
Tet chen, this is why Mr Skerrit Pm and his supporters keeps on bashing you lots time after time at the poll, so who are the stupid people haha.
And those same supporters are the ones sucking salt after, så what that says about them?? fool
When Judas betrayed Christ, Satan welcomed him with opened arms. But it was after Judas switched kingdom and leader, he hung himself with guilt.
No comparison. Try another one.
to many idiots in this country
Says the Prime Minister who just recently decries ‘negativism’ in Dominica and calls for everyone to work together. He cannot help but tell another political party how to manage its affairs. He does not seem to realise that Dominica is not yet a one party State. He may have destroyed the Dominica Freedom Party but he will not interfere with the United Workers Party decision making process.
Dominicans why are you all giving Mr Linton a hard time. We all should be fair and just. No matter who commits a wrong.Why is it okay for Ian Pinard to resign and it is not okay for Mr. Francis? No one ask Mr Francis to give up his constituency . Mr. Francis is a relative of mine I love him but there is a cloud over him and until the cloud is remove he should step down that is the just thing to do. Mr Linton is right you cannot preach something and do something else. I have and still have high hopes for my relative but I am surprise that Mr Francis did not see the decent think to do. I will advise him accordingly as I continue to pray for him.
Do you realize that Ian Pinard resigned right from the beginning? Who asked him to resign? Who was influential in making him resign? Did he do this on his own, i.e., volunteered to resign? Will we ever know?
Therefore, you cannot compare Pinard’s resignation to what occurred to Francis and state if it is good for one it is good for the other. Relative or not, it appears the situations are different and one is DLP, the other is UWP.
“And Dominicans will recall this is what precisely what I was referring too when I advised them, the Dominican people population, during the last election campaign about the leadership style, the ability or the inability of Lennox Linton …and we’ve indicated to the country that this guy is not suited for leadership.”
Mr Skirritt
MP for Soufriere, Ian Pinard, resigned from his post as Minister of Public Works after being embroiled in a controversy similar to that of Francis.
You handled the incident the EXACT same way… ARE YOU ALSO SAYING YOU ARE NOT SUITED FOR LEADERSHIP?
INNOCENT untill proven Guilty, the right thing would be for Mr Francis to step aside, untill the hearing of the case, has its final verdict,
according to the verdict then action should be taken, appropriately.
So in my opinion it has been dealt with very wrong and sad to say sends the wrong message around the world.
Dont get twisted.
They could even have asked him to take leave of absence with pay. Was it suggested to him? UWP with Linton as leader will not make good business leaders.
This is what reputable enterprises do. They ask their staff to take a leave of absence with pay. Based on the type of demeanor, it may be without pay. This also occurs in the Police Force in Canada and some businesses.
After the Court case/hearing, if not guilty, the officer is reinstated with full pay and may receive retroactive pay, if the leave was without pay. If guilty, it will be loss of job.
Linton and his ministers need to take a human resource and business course.
Rather, “inform him”
well then ian pinard should not have resigned!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A true and good leader is one that makes a member of the team do something that they will not necessarily like to do in the interest of the team (vision, mission, purpose…)
Both teams (Blue and Red) seek a similar outcome. One was a roller coaster with intentional and unintentional effects. The other with a seemingly smooth outcome.
As Shakespeare said: ‘All is well that ends well’. And how well or not too well the results are, rest on the competency and approach of the team leader.
I agree with John C. Maxwell when he state: ‘Leadership isn’t something it is everything’.
The situation at hand illustrates the leadership style of both team. The question is: Which leadership style the was more beneficial to the team?
The choice is yours.
I do not believe leadership had anything to do with this fiasco…. it only had to do with the people being led.
What you have forgotten here is that Prime Minister Skerrit has something Lennox Linton does not, he is the prime minister. Therefore, it is easy for him to say to Pinnard, resign, or I’ll fire you. Linton does not have this option.
In this instance I think the Prime Minister would do well to take the advice from one of his staunchest supporters in the diaspora, the lady who calls herself the Facts and remarked this weekend that “silence is golden”. This is of particular value in poltics and diplomacy.
This ………PM really he thinks he is the king of diplomacy what he really is . Is a Permanent Maladie. PM . Trying to give Dominicans the impression that he is something when he don’t know his behind from his elbow.what a joker…
LOLOLOL!!!
Skerritt shut your pie hole! You did NOT give Ian Pinard ANY other alternative but to step down as Minister. The decision was never Ian’s to make since you were judge, jury and executioner in the Ian Pinard fiasco.
So don’t come with your holier than thou attitude as if you so democratic.
We know who is the REAL despot leader in Dominica and it’s not Lennox Linton.
I VEX WI!!!
why don’t u leah Remy shut ur pie whole instead. U all know the way Linton handle the matter was wrong from the start.
I suspect you have a stiff neck as result of having your head too far up the prime minister’s behind
at least he did it gracefully… these days you are not even hearing about him and the other accused.joshua choose to keep the matter alive. if he had just resigned months ago today it would not be a media issue.sad!
Mr. Skerrit has no morale authority to comment on how the UWP conducts its affairs; he is a meddler and is attempting to cast doubts in the minds of those who really cannot understand the objectives of what took place with Mr. Joshua Francis. The UWP has a constitution by which it is guided and no decision taken yesterday at Mahaut was in contravention of those rules. Does Mr. Skerrit follow the constitution of his Party? Mr. Skerrit must stay out of the UWP’s business, and focus on operating in a clear, transparent, honest and above board Leadership. Mr. Skerrit does not qualify to comment on anyone’s leadership style. He is the worst leader Dominica ever had. UWP operates as a Team Skerrit is an authoritative dictator. He publicly castigates his colleagues and has absolutely no respect for them and their initiative. He needs to concentrate on cleaning his dirty backyard and tell us why he hand picked a bajan company, no tender for an over-padded millions bridge contract
So, does Linton not have authority to speak privately to his ministers and at least advise the one concerned to resign or take leave of absence? If he does not have that authority, he is not deserving of leader of UWP. Did he have to include the delegates and make a whole charade out of this? It sounds strange and unbecoming to me.
The UWP is based on democratic principles unlike the DLP. You clearly like the DLP way where the puppet master says jump and everybody jumps. If you don’t…
You see I did not call you by you regular name Mountain Chicken Crapo Mentality Sly eye Roosevelt Skerrit today?
“The matter is presently being widely discussed in Dominica and the Prime Minister said he is not surprised at the way it has unfolded and blamed the leadership style of Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, for the entire matter.”
Shut up Roosevelt!
Roosevelt Skerrit you had better keep that stupid opinion to your incorrigible mind and person. Your minister of Public Works is also alleged involved in the same and identical inappropriate behavior. We do not know if you ordered him to step down.
Nevertheless, I suppose he did the appropriate thing when he demit his position as Minister of Public works, I one of your most harsh critic can respect him for that,he realize he has now become controversial, and in order the save you and the Labor Party some embarrassment, he made the decision to take a back seat until this is over.
Francis should have done the…
I really do not have time to listen to or read anything Skerrit says because to me, he is the most dishonorable man in the Caribbean to be called Hon. However, whatever he says will not surprise me because Jesus himself said if you are not against something you are for it. Linton is a man of principle, that believes strongly in justice for all, so I expected him to deal with the matter the way he did. I have not heard Linton’s name in lying about villas, cutting cake with and signing documents with the likes of Lap Seng, John Ash, Lorenzo etc, all of whom were arrested by the FBI for corruption, money laundering etc. I also have not had anyone made any confession to me about Linton raped them or under age girls confessing to have been involved in any sexual relationship with Linton. That’s why I support Linton PERIIOD!
Stop the idiocy and foolishness Skerrit..You signed an agreement in Macau,because CAKE was dangled before you.You are still MOO MOO about that agreement…This is what I want you to tell Dominicans about..Lapseng,Ashe,Lorenzo were present…They are all in the net now… TAKE YOUR TIME!!!
%, you know in your heart that you all got screwed by your leader but do not want to admit it publicly and here comes Skeritt rubbing salt in the wound.
It is a UWP matter Mr. P.M..
It is of concern to Dominica nationals and rightfully concerns them.
Skerit you little insecure what I don’t know deal with issues in your camp and leave uwp business alone. Is there nothing else to talk about improve on the cultural industry in Dominica and give them struggling artists the help which ,they deserve instead you running the hole beneath your nose with diddly squat. Mind your passport selling business and all your Bohol and leave uwp affairs to them.. U always quick to go talk crap…what for you to talk about ou pa ka talk. Sacray belching bubbles baby.. Ou ka contra yay domnichen epi Sot ou.
Skerrit you and your questionable government have no face in this matter and your statements are not credible, because Satan cannot talk/preach of Jesus and the bible and forgive sins, only God can. You are not credible in your politics, too many questions to answer.
You have not been transparent and credible to the people of Dominica. we need to know of the Bin Bobol, who stole the money, the Fertiliser bobol, the conflict if interest. Go clean your political backyard and come again.
While appearing to criticise Mr. Linton, Mr. Skerrit does not say what was wrong with the manner in which Mr. Linton handled the refusal of Mr. Joshua Francis to comply with a request of his Party Executive to resign from the leadership of the Party until the allegation against him is resolved. What is specifically wrong with the way Mr. Linton acted, Mr. Skerrit?
he making noise for making noise sake it seems.
he would have looked smarted by not saying anything.
ego is a powerful ting
Boy that PM not easy. Mr. PM you should just stay out of that discussion. It is better to be thought of a fool than to open you mouth and remove all doubt.
Amen
Skerrit your a compete…..,Lennox handled the matter professinall,your the childish boy,Francis will join your little boy team soon.Stop trying to blame LENNOX,YOU NEED TO GROW UP AND BE A MAN.
None of your Damm bizness….go to hell???
Skerrit is simply seeking to gain political mileage of what an unfortunate matter. There is no mileage to gain, however. What Skerrit must tell us is: if an Executive member of his party had been accused of the same charge and refused to resign on his own volition, would action would he take?
Amazing how u people do so much wrong in the dark then come out like u so righteous,
This would include you I suppose.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams
Linton has some work to do! focus on the people/country and stop making the PM you main topic.
Skeritt must stop making a fool of himself, by his public utterances. The DLP and UWP constitutions are different. Linton did what is required of him as far as the UWP constitution is concerned. The same way he could accept Pinard’s resignation as a Minister of Government and cannot fire him as a parliamentarian, is the same way Linton cannot fire Joshua as a parliamentarian but can request that he step down from the post of deputy leader. Linton cannot even fire him from the post of deputy leader, where as, Skeritt can fire his deputy leader and no dog can back. I would like to ask Skeritt, if Pinard had refused to resign as a Minister of Government what would he have done. Better yet, if he was in Linton’s place what would he have done. Don’t forget, Dominicans, it was the same Skeritt who rehired Ambrose after Prime Minister Pierre Charles had fired him for wrong doings. Therefore, it appears, Skeritt is not concerned as to whether a Minister takes jail or not.
my same sentiments to this …did the Labour Party minister refuse to resign? If he didn’t resign what would the Prime Minister have done …in a case which involves our children. I cannot support these kind of nonsense. As the Prime Minister of the Country your focus should be protecting the children doing the right thing standing by your own principles. What Linton did and the delegates did was the right thing.
How has it satisfied anyone about booting him out of UWP? Who stood to gain by this? Anyone gained anything and worthwhile? Ask yourself these questions.
Them man so afraid Skerrit, If skerrit say Jump all they asking is how high
Well said. This whole situation just made me see how Lennox is unfit for leadership!!!!! If he doing that to his supposed team mate, what will he do to an ordinary man like me? Mr Linton is too quick to talk and take to the airwaves. The situation should have never escalated in this manner within the public domain. And so he will continue to crumble the uwp! How sad
It’s interesting how people are avoiding the facts when the facts are inconvenient for them. Didn’t the Prime Minister ask Ian Pinard to resign from the Cabinet on account of the same charge of inappropriate behaviour?
Not a herd follower
That’s just the issue. There are no facts to conveniently avoid. We do not know whether or not the PM asked the member to resign on the same account. We can only speculate, as there was no public hanging in the square. That’s the difference!
Sometimes we just have to agree when something could have been done differently even if we or the people we support do not come out with feathers in caps. That is what we keep asking of the supporters of the other side, to say something is wrong when it is wrong even though they love their leader, so it can’t be a one-way street.
It would have been nice for everyone if the gentleman had quietly stepped out, but there was public airing from early (DNO/Press conference, etc.), so that might have hardened his position. Like former Judge Alleyne said we don’t have to cast judgement either way on the alleged perpetrators because we do not know the facts, but the public broo-ha-ha was unbecoming! Just agree!
Idiots out there in well played costumes, designed to promote wrong doing. Not one word of the poor child alleged to be abused. let alone all the suffering children out there recovering from abuse of government resources, begging PM for money, walk up to Red Clinic.
Why is it these Skerrit tes are so blind and jump when Skerrits gives his political bark.
As the supremo says….Go to hell….go to hell….none of all you damn business
Place the primary blame where it belongs. You should speak to their parent(s) who give their teenage girls the freedom to prance all over the place also at nights.
They are not orphans. Where are the parents? I wonder what happened when their teenage girls returned home late at nights. What was told to them?
I find Linton extremely fit for leadership,because he has moral principles…I applaud his action,though I would go further and dismiss him from the party.
Agreed! I commented about that. It could have been handled in private. They love scandal; are a scandalous people. I would never vote for someone as Linton. I have heard/read enough about him. He is not good for Dominica as a leader/PM. Those who state that and agree are not stupid as some stupid people who themselves state. They have a lot of common sense. They know who to interfere with and who not to.
It is not because someone committed a frailty that he should be treated in this manner. They treated him as if he is a nobody and they are perfect. Shame on them! They lack compassion.
PM what are you’re really saying..blowing hot and cold at the same moment..
why u think all of dominicans are foolish..don’t u see he was asked to resign at put up his resistance? so if pinard had done the same u would have to exit him too…
come on under your leadership dominica is the poorest in the eastern caribbean u should be ashamed of your lack of vision and focus…
You are so correct mr pm and that’s united workers party problem that’s why they will never be the government. They are fighting among their own selves
. Thomson is not fit ……Linton not fit because of his head alas
James Mitchell in his hay days said the same thing about Ralph Gonsalves. Never use the word never, people are fickle and can turn like milk. Be objective,are coin has two sides,look at both sides.
Meant “a”
PM, you should have just kept your mouth shut on this matter. It doesn’t involve you or your party. Your opinion on the matter is not surprising either. The leader of the opposition cannot do anything right in your eyes nor can you do anything right in his. You should have just stayed in your lane on this one.
Aye Roosevelt, how exactly did Lennox Linton handle the situation with Joshua Francis? What exactly is the leadership style of Lennox you are referring to that is so wrong? After all Roosvelt, you maybe have a Doctorate in Leadership from a University based in Jupiter so is you that knows what is and is not good leadership.
As dem say, mouth make fi talk and the mouth of dat Roosevelt dere does utter absolute unadulterated nonsense.
Aye Roosevelt, the end of your reign as Prime Minister of Dominica is one day closer. You appear to be staring down an impending checkmate I suspect. The increased use covert strategic “games” of subversion and distortions against Lennox and the UWP is a sign of your impending checkmate.
Lennox, the grand chessmaster, will teach you a lesson you will never forget.
Stay tuned y’all.
Should this happen, woe to Dominicans.
☺ skerrit is a doc not a duck!
Only two people so far have a sense of humour. The first line says he waded in.
Skerrit DO LIKE THE JAMAICA PM..Provide the Dominican people ID Card for voting,an Impeachment Bill to deal with politicians who STEAL,lie and cheat.Give us a fixed election date,and term limit…You are shallow,inept and empty…MANY PEOPLE WITH INTEGRITY DON’T LISTEN TO YOU!!By the way was there any tendering for the $18 000 000.00 bridge construction, given to the Bajan firm?You keep on insulting Dominicans,,then come on the air and stutter crap!!!#
How did he handle it? He keeps talking about handle this and handle that but doesn’t say what he did wrong. Lmao
Dear Mr. PM. You made Ian resign…. Will you now accept Joshua under these exact same circumstances if he chose to cross the floor?
Excellent Question…But remember this DLP is a gang!
You must use your common sense. You should not even ask. You know very well that the PM will not accept him under this circumstance. It makes sense.
Some of you have no respect for the PM. I am wondering if you were ever taught love, humility, respect and understanding and other godly virtues also by example.
I have confidence and respect for the PM that, should this occur, it will not occur now. This type of air which has permeated Dominica and the Parties must first be cleared. I hope it will in time.
Remember you said that!