Member of the United Workers Party (UWP), Dr. Thomson Fontaine, is reporting that the main outcome of a meeting on Tuesday night was a decision that one of its high-ranking members meet with the leadership and management committee of the party.
The party met with residents and constituents of Roseau South to discuss matters relating to the member and Fontaine described the meeting as successful.
“Certainly the meeting went very well; I must say we had a very good meeting,” Dr. Fontaine said. “The main outcome of the meeting was a decision that the member will meet with the leadership and management committee of the party.”
The member has been accused of alleged inappropriate behaviour involving a minor and the party’s leader, Lennox Linton, has already made it clear that resignation as Deputy Leader of the party by the member is the honourable thing to do.
The member was invited to Tuesday night’s meeting but he did not attend and Fontaine said a small group of constituents has been charged with ensuring the meeting between the member and the party takes place.
“So we are basically waiting on the response from the member with regards to when this meeting will take place,” he said.
Meantime, Senior Journalist at state-owned DBS Radio, Curtis Matthew was forced to defend some interviews conducted by him after the meeting and which was aired during the 6:45 am news package on Wednesday.
The interviews appeared to take the side of the member in question while taking aim at the hierarchy of the UWP. One person interviewed said the meeting made no sense with the member absent while another noted that the member should run as an independent candidate in the constituency. Another said party leader Linton was asked to pay a lot of money in a Privy Council matter and was never asked to resign.
Some supporters of the UWP took to the airwaves accusing Matthew of being selective in the interviews he conducted.
But during a live interview on the Q-95 Hot Seat Programme he said the comments are “untrue”.
“It doesn’t matter how they feel, in my heart I went there to give Dominicans an idea as to what happened at the meeting with no malice in my mind,” Matthew stated. “The people I interviewed, I hardly knew them. I came to the meeting, saw them leaving the meeting, tried my very best to interview. There were a number of people saying that they should not give me interviews…the people who I interviewed I don’t know them personally.”
He said attempts were made to interview the leadership of the UWP but that proved futile.
Matthew stated that he interviewed a someone and was later informed UWP supporters there that the person was not a member of the party.
“That was not played on the radio, so any talk about I was selective in the people that I interviewed that is certainly not true…,” he remarked. “This morning a few people met me and told me I was wicked for what I put on the radio…and I expected to hear that sort of thing but that is ok.”
A UWP Delegates Conference is being planned for Mahaut on April 24, 2016.
The DLP is using this situation with Joshua to divide the party. As a supporter of the opposition, I believe if Joshua believes in principles, he should do the honorable thing and resign until this case finds truth.
Joshua, be the big man and step down. Not from the party, but because of all what you preached and believe. Stop play the blame game. This too shall pass my brother.
For a number of months a certain high-ranking member of the United Workers Party has been giving slight indications that he is NOT a team player. We all thought well of this member, we loved him, we admired his humbleness and integrity BUT…the member disappointed us. When the elected members of the party collectively walked out of Parliament in protest, the member remained. When the party collectively decided that they would not be attending the fete for Baroness Suce Cel, the member had to be pressured by the public to follow suit. Further, a private correspondence between the member and the party leader via E-mail somehow ended up in the hands of the Supreme Leader, the red Boss! To seal the case, the member was caught up in a scandal which involves a member of the opposing side and a very close affiliate of the Supreme Leader. This, by itself, says a lot about the company the member keeps! By refusing to do the right and honourable thing, the member’s agenda is clear!
Curtis you them vex boy! Now not little mash you have to say for them to let go your pant leg!
I applaud the UWP for doing the right about this cancer that threatens the very fabric of the party. It is the right thing to deal with this matter now. This demonstrates strength of character and effective leadership. If this matter is not dealt with now, it will become an albertros around your necks during the next elections.
Labour would love to point fingers to you 4 years from now and say you do not practice what you preach. WASH YOUR DIRTY LINEN IN PUBIC NOW IF YOU HAVE TO IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER….THE PARTY WILL EMERGE THE WINNER IN THE END.
Please stand your ground, this is a test of integrety.
all the time all you there with josh all you hateing on the man, is not the labour party is all of all you including the leadership of the party all you just get the perfect excuse now to eliminate the man.i listened to all you fellars and while all you saying with one breath all you are supportive and believe that he is innocent with the next breath all you asking if i know he went by a certain lawyer and ask him to kill the case for him. that can only mean one thing and that is all you have already concluded that the man is guilty.bunch of hypocrites. and as for you mr fountain wrong is wrong no wrong not more wrong than any wrong. your name come up in wrong doing no body never asked you to stand down. back off sir all you committing suicide with our party
Hmmm…look distraction, I am not tht is going to give this govt. 25 yrs I office..4 weeks we on one topic…ehh..d country in black belly bottom..d population is stressed…so let us sit down wth our wicked eyes,ears and mouth…if i was sickiree I’d giv public statement..n step aside till case call and tell duminicans mind their business bcus AIR DOMINICA is going to crash…
Honesty is the best policy. Linton, Thompson and Francis should resign. All three have to much roro.
I am surprise skerrit’s name was not mentioned on your list…the number of roro his name is associated with is unbecoming for a leader if a nation
When these things take place, it reminds me why the Christ was nailed to the tree. He was telling the truth, so he carry his cross. To resign shows guilt. This gentleman find himself at the wrong place at the wrong time unaware what was going on. Now he is paying the prize for being nice, you are a cake so they eat you. Let the man carry his cross. I am convinced he is innocent and why the others cannot see that. His supporters are not helping they are only making things worst. I SAY TRUST the gentleman and move on,jealousy,cowardice and conformity. he has done nothing against his party.
Oh boy this is really a mass,hummm deception leading deception.liar leading liar ,how do you all expect to run a country ,backstabing ,confussion,this is not good at all.LL you need to get to your …. together and try to get a hlod on your party .This ….. has hit the fan
Journalists must be professional and state facts. What business that so called journalist has giving his opinion? He is always saying somebody got it wrong. He needs to be corrected. STATE FACTS NOT OPINION
It is unfortunate that news reporting in our beloved country continues to be of poor quality. I have no need to bash Mr Matthew. Based on the DNO’s story, Mr Mathew could have easily said that he was unable to interview the leadership of the UWP. When he simple airsed negatives. He has further disappointed persons who are lateral in their thinking and who need balanced views. His response to the accusations of the content of the newscast was shallow. He should learn from BBC.
I have been subject to Mr Mattew’s biased reporting.
I am wondering whether the issue facing the Honourable
Member could have been handled privately with the member his constituents and his fellow members
After all he was elected and his constituents I think could have had an input
He has not been convicted and the way they went about it was not done properly
The problem with UWP is that they do not realize that they are only a political party and not the government. Why would the man have to resign before he has had his day in court? That is so absurd. The UWP has been setting traps for members of the DLP for so long that they don’t even know or see when they are the ones falling in the same traps they set. When is your next leadership convention, that is where you vote him out. But again maybe the delegates just might vote him as party leader. Could that be the reason?
Why force the man to resign? To me this is pure hypocrisy really. Good thing they cannot force him to resign as Parl Rep and give it to someone else because the man is an elected member and they have no control on that. If I was appointed as a senator by the UWP I would be worried. If an elected member can be treated that way, I would not feel too comfortable.
Irrespective of which party belongs to base on severity of the allegation against him, both parties and supporters should ask him to step down as a man in the political arena until his case is called and he is cleared of the allegations.
This issue is not a party thing , it is country thing…..If not dealt with properly this will take this country further into a moral CRISIS.
What our GOVT don’t realized, we have three different men( 2 are executive members one from each political party) who are alleged committed this crime. Therefore it is obvious the country has a much bigger problem on its hand….MORALITY
They should have kucked you curts matthew out of thier meeting.
you people too wicked.
He belongs to the UWP my friend. Deal with it.
While I consider myself an avid supporter of the UWP, I am always reminded by those who know me that once upon a time I was more RED than Pierro and Roosie combined. However, this has nothing to do with party politics but rather integrity and basic decency. The member concerned has allowed himself to fall for all the praises heaped on him in the past.
His ego has gotten the better of him and I believe if someone close to him does not act quickly and tell him (not ask) to resign from the party executive he will lost his sanity. My partner, STOP making DLP and their supporters play in your head. Do the honorable thing and resign. STOP allowing your ego to get in the way. When DLP gets what they want you will become their laughing stock. STOP allowing the DLP gang to capitalize on your misfortune.
“Don’t sacrifice yourself too much, because if you sacrifice too much there’s nothing else you can give and nobody will care for you.” …Karl Lagerfeld
Always Assertive!
I cut think the sale is already finalized as the beloved high ranking member has already sold himself to Skerrit and the DLP and I for sure have no more confidence in him as clearly he seems bent on destroying the party that stood with him when Skerrit insulted him. Who will forget how Skerrit welcomed him into the political arena when Skerrit referred to him as a man that cannot get a job and all he can do is go to court to help men that stole or drunk? Has he forgot to that? Less than two years you in bed with that same Skerrit and giving people a negative impression of the uwp and the Linton that stood with him like a big brother? It’s politician and they tend to forget but left to me, I release you from the party so you could be free to do what you wanted to do, just as Jesus released Judas to do what he wanted to do. I don’t hate him but his failure to do the honorable thing tells me that he is not a team player and is not the material needed to deliver Dominica it of Skerrit
Me bobol only in Dominica. papa carry on clowming with allyou koloomoono.
wowwwww some of you are idiots you know that? I can’t belive in this day and age people are still fighting and cussing each other over politicians? Haven’t you guys learnt? Do you know what these politicians say about you guys behind closed doors?? They just killing themselves laughing at you guys. Why?? Why?? would someone in thweir right mind have big arguments over politicians..Politicains are bullshitters…not only here but all over….DO you guys actually think that politicains actually having a caring heart for you all? Politicians fool you guys all the time in order to get your support and for THEM to stay in power. I had the opportunity to listen to a few politicians speak about people they helped and who they didnt..and say they do just cause they want you to support them,,,,,,if you guys were smart enough you will realize what politics is all about..Educated men and women fighting and cussing for politicians…OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE N STOP WASTE TIME FIGHTING FOR…
This situation with the member is not going well to say the least. I have to say some one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. In spite of this fact I think the member who I still love and respect tis acting rather childish. Is the member torn between two masters- UWP and Labour and so is confused? My only advice to the UWP leadership is to deal with this the best they can behind close doors.
This is a very delicate situation and they don’t want to play into any bodies’ hands.
As to the DBS reporter, I find it interesting that he went to interview folks coming from the meeting. The question for Curtis is : Since when you are so independent with your reporting and the stories you go after? Sorry Curtis you are compromising your values–or are you a double agent???? You need to answer that for yourself!!!!
Why did not curtis go and interview his master the p.m. about his minister and de business man?
I am so sick of you all
One man CANNOT,SHOULD NOT, AND SHALL NOT,hold a party hostage….The man is surrounded by LABOURITES,who are using him like a Christmas toy to get to HOURABLE LINTON, because they hate Linton to the bone..If he does not resign soon,GO TO THE NEXT STEP!!You all know what the next step is.
What is the charge . Was their allegations against Doc F and we are yet to act. Linton lost his case and is still before the court and still have moneys to pay and yet we failed to act. Lugay had issues and we didn’t ask him to call it quits. We lynched him on facebook and on Q95. The bus passed over him and yet a weak leadership cannot take its final action. It took the cowardly step to ask him to quit. Do not be naive He is not good to be deputy so how is he still good to be sitting with Team Dominica in the house? It doesn’t add up. Don’t you all understand human psychology? no one will feel comfortable around such set of people. We know of the sensitive nature of Linton and his determination to get id of ….. hence they cannot stand in the same party and expect peace to reign Its in the best interest of our party if Joshua says bye bye to it. Linton and joshua have strong personalities and none will give in and that will not be good fo us. Don’t expect to see a…
Dear TITIWEE, you must think of the issue that is at hand, there is no leadership struggle between the two individuals so what u are saying don’t make sense, the member for newtown did what he did now one said that he is guilty and no one said he is guilty either so all he was asked to do is to resign from his post and wait for his day at court just like the member for Soufriere did what is wrong with that?
Now mr, Linton did not pay money at court it is we the concern citizens of D/ca that want’s to know what is happening with ma Dominique there is to much corruption in this place the place is plague with ill feted people common man have a little more sense in our head and stop all the badness in this country you hear what is going on in Iceland we should all take note of that,
Ma Dominique children are suffering because of wrong administration running this country, what a shame we are below par in the Caribbean, let’s take ourselves from the abase which we put our selves in…
Standing as champion to identify and challenged abuse of the State of Dominica is not child abuse but a matter of concern to us al. Hon Linton`s cause to fight for the integrity of Dominica and the alleged interference of a child are not the same, the latter is child abuse, child molestation etc.
Hon Linton s a champion for Dominica and please do not mix apples with oranges.
WHAT THE WHAT
IS this not the same Thompson ………
YET why was he never called to resign WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE HONORABLE THING TO DO
UWP is such a bunch of buffoons and high sounding idiots
Anyway anyway Dominicans are reall dummies.
why cant you people deal with an issue?
These are serious allegations and in no way should you have soneobe like th I s in public office.
God never sleeps
Linton make us pay legal fees and he is yet to call it quit but …. has not been found guilty and he has to quit? What nonsense is this. Linton UWP is not a piece of land that was bequeathed to you by you family in some will. We have been subject to significant financial debt and we stood fully behind you to pay legal costs, …. also made a big contribution. You have said stuff that has placed our party in bad light- so do not give the impression that you are mister perfect. You were found guilty so you have to quit the leadership. Look at what you have done to us ? Lugay was arrested and charged with inciting murder and you stood by him. Didn’t this brought the party into disrepute? Did it not violate the so called UWP principles ? I will follow …. and leave you do you own stuff. Look what you spontaneousness done to us. let’s face the facts Joshua will not be back ! Too much damage has been done. He is young and powerful and our party is suffering because you handle…
Go put sense in youe friends head.You seem to be one of the idiots hurting him, but he is of shallow wisdom…Tell him about the humility he used to preach.Ask him whether it has fled to brutish beast…Tell him he isn’t bigger than the party….Finally lazy crooked,
corrupt Labourites like you have no money,so SHUT THE UP..THE PARTY MUST STAND FIRM,,,,
your friends head.
Sot do you know the difference between a CRIMINAL CASE AND A CIVIL CASE? smh smfh
Can you guys just stop talking….? It is laughable to read your comments..fighting for politicians,,,you think these politicians fighting for you guys?? stupesssssssss follishnesssssssss….All they do is lie lie lie to get you idiots to side with them…..PUT THAT IN YOU ALL PIPES AND SMOKE IT,,,,Politicians Do Not Care About Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Where were you bor n? Was it under a rock?
Who MADE you pay legal fees? PEOPLE from far and wide who RESPECT that Linton stood up for the Dominican people in demanding to know where their tax payers money went. People are proud of leaders who stand for the people and their rights, ask the hard questions of government, and demand accountability. How can you in ANYWAY compare that to the implication against Joshua?! YOU NEED TO QUIT with such baseless comparisons!
Take that in allu nenen!!! Leadership is everything
Integrity is everything..That’s why honourable Linton is my hero.
Now tell me what is the difference between Pinard and …. case they are both charged for the very same matter. Pinard did what is right he didn’t put himself first he resigned so no one can say the PM was wrong to accept the letter, But what I want the public to know we all love ……. but are we saying that we are so blinded by our love for the man who was charged for a very serious matter that we cannot see that he is hurting himself and families and the Country because of stupidity .What has he to gain from refusing to resign.. or is their something else that we are over looking. I am very disappointed and hurt I admired the man but now I’m seeing another side of him that have me baffled .
Women don’t just say you feel for him what about the young child that is caught in between this mess.. I want him to stop fighting he is an intelligent person and should not allow his legal team to destroy him any further . I praise the DLP on the way they handled their side of the mess.
WELL SAID!
Based on the article yesterday it is obvious that the UWP team is supportive of the accused so why does he think he is above the law to not resign and attend a meeting with his constituency? Because he has a power house of attorneys he think he can do what he wants? He of all people should be aware of the consequences of engaging in such behavior.
Anyone who listens to DBS radio, is fully aware that Curtis is very selective in terms of news reporting. Compare news items coming from DNO and Q95. On a daily basis we hear news from those agencies involving UWP. When was the last time Dominicans heard the voice of Mr. Linton on a newscast. When was the last time Dominicans heard an interview with Mr. Linton by Curtis or anyone else from DBS. As far DBS reporters are concerned, the word Linton is a bad word. Linton is the official leader of the opposition in Parliament, Tony Astaphan is an advisor to the Prime Minister, tell me, who is heard the most of DBS radio. Sometimes one would believe Tony is the PRO of the DLP or the press secretary of the Government. Curtis commented that he tried to contact members of the UWP last night, why only last night. Almost every day the likes of Fontaine, Linton speak about the economy, where is Curtis. This situation involves the UWP, it is controversial, therefore, he turns up.
My sentiments exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a supporter of the accuser . I love him and admire him However the right thing to do is to resign as second in command. However he should continue to serve as my representative. Until he is proven Not guilty or guilty. UWP is a party of high principles and should live up to it. TheY have set a very High Bar and it should be applicable to all its members even to those we love and admire. If he has sinned he will ask GOD for forgiveness AND HE WILL BE FORGIVEN. dOMINICANS BE FAIR. iT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.
Joan,you are very sensible and i support you view.
i love him too,but i agree he should step down from the leadership for the time being.
If he is proven innocent then he can reconsider.
I agree…..Joseph spelt it out well in his contribution “Voices of Abused Children” to this debacle.
This is not, as he says a matter of DLP. UWP DFP” it is a matter of the protection of the child and recognising “Protocal” in these maters.
I still love Sikiri and I’ll vote for him again….if he goes up as a candidate. Independent or otherwise…
You are not from RoseU South…You are jpust a hater of Linton…Just imagine fools like you playing in the mind of a so called lawyer.
Not from Roseau South. Just a hater of Linton.
God forgives, why not others? I do think they are making a big thing out of that as if everyone is perfect.
As Our Lord said: “Unless you forgive from the heart neither will My Heavenly Father forgive you.”
Because children do not matter in Dominica. No outrage for what *could* have happened to a child. Then we’ll expect the same representative to come speaking out on behalf of children and doing right by them.
Sick set of people in Dominica! Real real sick!
Dominican the word is cart not cat.
Uwp finish, according to mammy is really Uwpwee
So Curtis means to say that no one person he interview at a UWP meeting disagrees with ….behaviour and sided with the opposition that he should resign…funny…..only in Dominica..why all the interviewees quoted is against what the uwp is asking;….. should have never made this rsach so far, like Ian, he should have resigned until the allegations are clear….his behaviour is unacceptable and is damaging the party….and if go up as an independent candidate, I will not vite for him again…and let’s face the fact, is really a uwpite….his associates tells a different picture.
This is a failed leadership manifesting itself.
yes, We agree, the DLP and Skerrit are failed leadership poisoning Dominica, big time. A big disappointment and disgrace.
Dominica has been abused for over 10 years by a bunch of corrupt DLP people.
I believed this whole situation was handled badly, and it is going to hurt the party. While I do not condone what the man is accused of, I believe the leadership did not dealt with the matter prudently. The law still state that someone is innocent until proven guilty. While a general statement condemning sexual relation with a minor was ok, asking for resignation should not be done in the public space until the case is called and he is proven guilty. It seems that they have agreed he is guilty before proven guilty by the legal system. I believe the party may have really hampered its chance of winning a general election by putting a very critical portion of the electorate in conflict. It is going to take some real good skills to mend this situation. My advice would be keep trying to reach out to the accused, and conduct these meetings in private with some key constituents – there is a time for everything.
That’s full of nonsense let me ask you a direct question another man was charged for the very same thing he resigned no question ask , but in this case you a telling us that you have laws for one set of people and another law for others, stop blaming the party and if that’s what you hoped for well you got the perfect person to help all of you to destroy the UWP . Being blind to the fact instead of dispensing nonsense is your way of truth.. Dominica is not a real country I’m sure you know who said so well I believe with that individual it’s not. I believed in Francis and he has let me down very much I haven got any respect for him any more
Are you serious? Did the law force out the first one? Check you facts. He made his decision, maybe after advise, but it was not the law tha forced him out. The one that resigned did not have his whole party in public forcing him out. And if he had done it on his own, at least he was proactive. But this is a very sensitive matter, and again the law says you are innocent until proven guilty. Therefore, it has to be up to the individual to make the decision on his own at this time in the legal matter. I no way I condone sexual abuse of anyone, especially children, but we have to look at it from a legal perspective to.
Observer, please wake up. If you need to understand and comprehend te bigger picture of abuse, go read Joseph`s article on the “Voices of Abused Children”…and take the politics away.
P who created this issue. They have done and continue to do their best. I respect their diligence, professionalism, leadership and patience.
Resignation was asked in private…as it is now clear…the member is not willing to resign. It is not a matter of HOW he was asked!
I didn’t fancy this current group of UWP. Among other things I thought that it would be only a matter of time till they self destruct. Now I am seeing signs of it. I believe there is much more truth to come out and it is not going to be pretty. I only feel bad for Dominica because we do not have a decent option to the current Government, and we need an opposition.
is true eno
Well stay tune for another episode! PAPA, yes this is your next PM. When all this come mess will stop and face the issues of the day? Dominicans is this Lenox really fit to lead a nation of 60,000+ is that the person you think will save you? Is that the role model for our young people?
Yes he is extremely fit to do so…Fitter than the laxy clown Dominica presently has taking it to hell.He must stand firm to his principles and keep to his words…He must never,ever allow one man to highjack a party that he leads..I love this gentleman called honourable Lennox Linton.
YES Linton is the leader we NEED. In calling for the resignation of someone implicated in such a heinous situation, he is showing that he is in protection and respect of children.
On the other hand, the current leadership has done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help children despite year after year of child abuse cases at epidemic rates.
Dominica is going nowhere if we can’t do right by our children. Clearly we care more about politicians than the vulnerable children we claim we love and care for!
If the matter is in Court, why is the member being summoned to a meeting? The Party Leader and the executives ought to be charged for Intervention…This is just rediculous…The man deserves his day in court. Linton and the executives are behaving as though they are Judge, Jury and Executioner. Perhaps the member should call for the Leader’s resignation as a result of the recent Court award against him.
#timeforlintontogo
You dimwit, Joshua’s case in court (if it get that far) is to do with his alleged misuse of a minor. This meeting has to do with his position as the no. 2 in the UWP, nothing to do with court. I think the party is reluctant to dismiss him from that position because the opposite side will claim”you see, they not, supporting their own” and Joshua may cross the floor. If he he gets a judicial review Labour would keep him there till next election comes up and replace him with that young leftist waiting in the wings and perhaps give Joshua another job like AG to replace the present one. If he goes before the court and case is dismissed he is a free man, if convicted he can not sit as M.P. anyway, so labour do not lose. If Joshua ever thought of having a chance to become P.M. he can forget that, whether he stays with UWP or goes to labour. Meanwhile nobody cares a damn about the young girl’s future. Best thing Joshua emigrate because his credibility shot anyway.
Mr. or Miss Isis. This is a real ISIS irrational, terroristic approach, harsh, ill thought, firing bombs and bullets with no regards as to the where the bombs fall.
Please relax and get into civilised life and human surrounding. This a human and democratic environment, not a war zone, please be civilised.
@viewsexpressed – You have just described the UWP and the rest of its puppets. Exactly what is civilized and democratic in being forced out of an elected position? What is civilized and democratic in the UWP interfering with a court matter? Go sit down and zip your mouth…
So tell me. Why is Dr. Fontaine the one talking. Is he head of conflict resolution of the party. The party has a President and a leader , is either one of them to talk more so the President.
Probably Lennox does not want to put his foot in his mouth again. So he is allowing Fontaine to take the flak.
Peaceful
That’s a reasonable question, more so because of all the allegations (and apparent evidence) which were flying about the good doctor some time ago. Does he then really have the moral authority to be in the forefront speaking about ethical behaviour and morality?
I have no issue with the party enforcing its standards but it has to appear to be consistent in their application. If allegations of financial impropriety is being made against my prospective Minister for finance I would certainly pay attention to it.
But then again remember Ron Green (gentleman whom I like but that’s beside the point), who served as a government Minister for four and a half years while being an American citizen, was a Complainant in court against Petter St. Jean for allegedly being a French citizen at the time of contesting elections.
The culture of brazen behaviour which seems to be a feature of that party once again showing itself?
Cat before horse
Soft doctors make smelly wounds. If you have a sore treat it or cut it out but be resolute. The interest of the party more important than that one individual. I don’t know if mr. Francis is guilty or not, that is for the court but I know that his presence as v.p. is a distraction and if he is a man of character he would step down , at least till his name is either cleared or he is convicted. But most important to me is the plight of the alleged victim.Whatever happen, she can not be guilty of a crime like that because she is a minor but even so her reputation already ruined. Think about the child first everybody, not about your own career! I don’t hear anybody talking about the child, not even Matt but is all about Joshua Francis, who can look after himself. Sorry but that really sticking in my throat.
Yup basically.
Right now it looks like Skerrit has his house in order, and Linton doesnt.
I appreciate they are following due process. But it is taking too much time.
A special delegate meeting should be held as soon as the deputy leader was released.
The DL could have avoid this. He didnt need to resign but could have taken a leave of absence, and have someone else act in his position. But dragging it out now, guess what, the decision will be made for him. (DL) and the party leader. And it will not be pretty.
Thomson, we went through all of what you are conveying already; by now we should be told if the people he represents agree for him to demit his office!
That to me is the only moral, and appropriate thing for him to do at the moment, the representative should not even think of arguing his position right now
You know I being a UWP supporter would like to defend him, and encourage ruling out demitting; nevertheless, as bias as I can be sometimes, even I cannot see how he can evade this.
There is absolutely no defense!
There is a defense, he has not been convicted.
We can’t have bias and double standards in this. The minister of government in Skerrit government who it is alleged is involved into the same offence took the appropriate action, and resigned; in the event the matter goes to court; which it must, and he is found not guilty, then he will be free to resume his duties.
The same applies to the man from the UWP camp. It all boils down to the principal of the matter. I suppose most people are worried that his demitting will reduce the number of UWP representative in the parliament, but that will not make a difference whether he is there or not! Doing the right moral thing in the interest of the nation should be the only alternative.
UWP members like school girls…This situation should be delt with more professionally.Right now you all have convicted the brother before he got his day in court..very sad..
Had the accused done the honorable thing and stepped back till the matter was resolved – NON OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
A man thinks he can do whatever he wants, get CHARGED FOR A SERIOUS OFFENCE INVOLVING A MINOR, an face no consequences????
A MAN WHO IS SUPPOSE TO KNOW BETTER AND UPHOLD BETTER?
And Dominicans have the audacity to make ll sorts of excuses for that man? You were charged, it means the evidence was sufficient to warrant it. You think or know you are innocent, why would you not take the time off to deal with the matter instead of continuing the represent on a platform for which you are charged due to violating it – ie CHILDREN RIGHT!!!
You cannot be charged for something you have continuously preached against – the violation children’s right and want to continue on the same platform – THIS IS INSANITY.
Any other minor charges, i would be putting my hands in fire and say wait for he court to decide. But a matter this serious? Common Dominicans!
Do you think you are fair? Joshua and Ian allegatiin I heard is of a similiar nature, Ian’s party asked him to resign for tge better good until the allegations settles…it was ok…Ian did…Why cant the UWP request the same from Joshua?….Joshua as a lawyer, who knows the law, thus, h hould have never put himself in that position and the UWP is right to ask him to resign from deputy leader in the interim until the dust settles on the matter..just like the labour party requested from Ian…i just think joshua is using the issue to complicate matters and cast a bad light on the party cause it asked him to do resign privately…uwp cannot be peaching against something for years and encouraging it among themselves; but in Dominica, who we like can do no wrong
Just saying
The difference is that up to this moment we do not know for sure that Ian’s party asked him to resign. I don’t think you know that either, you are, therefore, making an assumption. They probably did but handled it intelligently and behind closed doors so he has been seen to have done the honourable thing.
Why did there have to be a whole public display about the other person? People giving lengthy explanations in the public domain about him being called and what was said to him etc. The party is standing on a principle and that’s that. There is no need to come out in the public and be giving a ball by ball and then try to blame other people for taking advantage of the public display of disunity. All of those little things give people an impression of the nature of the party.
Nonsense!. In the case of the Labour party Minister who resigned,what is the difference? He was intelligent enough to step aside for the duration of the scandal. After the trial if he is successful and found not guilty, then he can get back his portfolio.
@Salopwe No doggone conviction was made..Stop your garbage.Are you one of those encircling him that has him to believe that he owns the party? Go put some sense in his head….Both in government and in opposition one has to be upright…RESIGN,then after the hearing things may change…I applaud the stance taken by UWP 100000000 % that he MUST resign,despite the filth you and other Labourites are feeding him with…UWP has only one leader and he is HONOURABLE Lennox Linton….Cling on tightly to your words honourable Linton..
How can you trivialize such a serious matter. Would you be saying the same thing if it were your daughter? You people are so sickening. PUT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN BEFORE POLITICS FOR ONCE.
Curtis you are a seasoned reporter.
However i don’t believe you.
It was interesting to you to get the views of the people who were leaving de meeting before it was over.
Even before you entered the meeting you interviewing the disgruntled ones leaving.
Since the election there has been a systematic bashing of lennox linton, pushing joshua to de front as de better leader.
It started with de PM himself.
He repeated it a million times……almost mockingly.
Talk show hosts on a radio station followed suit and have never relented.
A certain political group has been pushing for a confrontation between joshua and linton.
It’s unbelievable that joshua could let me down like that…………i could never give this man another vote!!!!
He has betrayed his own integrity……..not mine.
If it was lennox or thompson or hector name that was in this nasty sleaze talk UWP would be dead.
slaughtered to pieces!!!!
I don’t need you to explain anything to me curtis.
So the disgruntled ones don’t have a voice? I thought you people were interested in democracy and freedom of expression and transparency. That is what I have been hearing from you all is under threat in Dominica, so why can’t people know how the disgruntled ones feel?
Why can’t people make a comparison about double standards within their party about treating with wrong doing? I have always maintained that while we are busy analysing and condemning those in office, we should be even more concerned about the modus operandi of those who are aspiring to office. because coming events cast their shadows.
How many of you question the validity of Carlisle’s “breaking news” and Matt’s “thank you caller” without checking some glaringly erroneous comments? Or that wild man Angelo’s crazy assertions? They all go by the name of journalist don’t they? Isn’t it also in the public interest to know how some members of the UWP feel about their own party? I just don’t get it!
Of course ms. Saunders, everybody has a voice and an opinion and is free to express it but so are the one’s who have a different opinion, that is the beauty of democracy. I happen to think that as a journalist Carlisle is a nincompoop but of course, that is only my opinion
@dissident…
We share similar thoughts..
BRILLIANT VIEWS!!!
Alot of sensation and roro in the media, while the subject matter gets little attention.
One big man refusing to set his ego aside and resign.
Radio stations looking for ratings and listener-ship to sell ads and air time.
So-called journalists mixing in their opinion about stuff that really don’t matter…while helping to brush the wider issue aside.
Still waters are running deep and manipulation and clever maneuvering continues.
And the country nice?
Bye bye
Well said, Gwo Jel
Who put it in the media? From the request for the man’s resignation to meeting with him for discussion has been one media blitz by the hierarchy of the party, so if people hold on to it why are you all peeved? You all are certainly not shy to do it to the other side why do you think you should get preferential treatment?
-All of a sudden? When the radio in uwp favor you all didn’t say that?