By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St Kitts, July 20, 2019 – St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris has lashed out at critics who state that his recent visit to Nevis was “disrespectful” to the Premier of Nevis, Hon Mark Brantley without informing Brantley that he would be on Nevis.
“No protocol was ever breached and could ever be breached with a prime minister visiting one of the islands,” said Dr Harris when asked if he had communicated to Premier Brantley that he was going to be in Nevis on Saturday, 13 July 2019.
“It would be a breach of protocol if it happened in the reverse,” said Dr Harris, who during a meeting with fire officers at the Vance Amory International Airport said he had sent an additional EC$1 million for the completion of the police station and as Federal Minister of Finance he “had to ensure that the monies aren’t squandered.”
“The prime minister is free as every other citizen and resident to move without let and hindrance to any area in St Kitts and Nevis,” Dr Harris told listeners to a radio programme hosted by one of his cabinet ministers.
He said as prime minister he is free to visit St Paul’s and Sandy Point in St Kitts and Gingerland and Culturama in Nevis “so there cannot be a breach of protocol because I went to Nevis.”
“The premier of Nevis by all accounts was not informed, advised or protocols observed. He (Dr Harris) has disrespected Premier Brantley and disrespected the Office of the Premier of Nevis by going to Nevis, the way he did. Why would that be done to Premier Brantley, to a political party that is your partner in your (Federal) government,” said Astaphan, who in a major way was responsible for putting together Team Unity and the three-party coalition government.
Brantley is Premier and Minister of Finance in the Nevis Island Administration and holds the portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation in the Federal Government headed by Harris.