Leader of the Opposition, Allen Chastanet has called on public servants to monitor what is going on with former Comptroller of Customs Peter Chiquot regarding his part in the Ernest Hilaire Range Rover saga. He further called on public servants to demand that their trade unions provide the necessary support to a public officer who has been subjected to attacks simply for performing his duties and upholding the rule of law.
Chiquot was heading a Customs and Excise case against Hilaire involving the importation of a Range Rover vehicle when he was relieved of his position by the current administration when it took over the reins of power after the July 26 general election last year.
Customs Officers, in 2020, armed with a warrant detained Hilaire’s Range Rover Sport amid claims that there were irregularities in the importation of the vehicle.
However last month the current Comptroller of Customs dropped the charges against Hilaire. The case had gone to mediation and appeared before a magistrate court where the current Comptroller of Customs withdrew the charges against Hilaire.
The opposition United Workers Party said the turn of events raised more questions than answers with Chastanet stating that this caused “many to question our institutions and justice.”
Chiquot last week released a statement in which he threw questions at the current attorney general and the Director of Public Prosecutions and called on public servants to stand up against corruption in the public service to ensure equality and fairness for each citizen of Saint Lucia.
Chiquot in his statement explained that he endured “maligning, threats and unabated abuse” all the while unable to defend his name due to the Staff Orders and rules of the public service. He now faces a lawsuit by Hilaire.
He said he has officially written to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance for the necessary clearance to address this matter publicly and to use the documents and information in his possession.
According to Chastanet the decision on whether Chiquot is allowed to speak will have implications for all public officers and is something that needs to be watched very closely.
“Public Servants who are doing their jobs such as Mr Chiquot must not be intimidated. He has gone through the proper channels to get permission to speak and there should be no reason for him to be prevented from doing so in a matter that has become of immense interest to the public. He must be given permission to speak and provide clarity. If the former Comptroller is denied the opportunity to speak freely, this will reveal even more about the Ernest Hilaire case. If what was done was all above board and there is no cover up, then there should be no issue with allowing Mr Chiquot to reveal the facts,” Chastanet said.