IT is with utter dismay and disillusionment that I pen this piece, still reeling from the shocking denials made by Prime Minister Philip J Pierre and Junior Minister Jeremiah Norbert at the SLP town hall meeting on Tuesday evening, February 4th, 2025. The sheer audacity and brazen lies uttered by these two leaders of the Government of St. Lucia have left me speechless.
The background to this whole saga is well-known to many in St. Lucia. In early 2021, about five months before the General Elections, Jeremiah Norbert, then a young candidate of the opposition SLP, was involved in a devastating motorcycle accident that resulted in the amputation of one of his legs. In a remarkable display of humanity and compassion, the Allen Chastanet-led UWP administration, without hesitation, came to Jeremiah’s aid, facilitating his transfer from St. Lucia to Martinique by air ambulance, with the assistance of the French Embassy. The administration also provided financial assistance to partly meet the cost of his medical care.
Fast-forward to Tuesday evening, and the Prime Minister and Junior Minister saw fit to deny, deny, deny! They outrageously claimed that the UWP administration had no role in Jeremiah’s medical care, painting Allen Chastanet as a liar. The Prime Minister and Jeremiah, in a stunning display of ingratitude, sought to rewrite history, conveniently erasing the facts of the matter.
But what is even more gut-wrenching is Jeremiah’s personal betrayal. This is a man who, at his most vulnerable moment, received gratuitous assistance from the then-prime minister Allen Chastanet. A man who, without hesitation, put politics aside and exhibited genuine compassion towards Jeremiah’s plight. And yet, Jeremiah has the temerity to call Allen Chastanet a liar? The very same man who helped him in his time of need?
The evidence, however, speaks for itself. A WhatsApp conversation between Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and Leader of the Opposition Philip J Pierre, dated between 17th and 19th February 2021, unequivocally confirms that the UWP administration did, in fact, facilitate Jeremiah’s transfer and provide financial assistance. The screenshots of the conversation have since gone viral on social media. It is a damning indictment of the Prime Minister and Junior Minister’s deceitful claims.
As I conclude, I am left to ponder the depth of dishonesty that pervades our political leadership. It is a crying shame that our leaders would stoop so low as to deny the truth, simply to score cheap political points. St. Lucia deserves leaders who will stand by their word, who will show gratitude when it is due, and who will not shamelessly peddle lies to further their own interests and unjustly tarnish the reputation of others.
On the other hand, Chastanet’s selfless and principled handling of Jeremiah’s cause, rising above politics, showcased his rectitude and statesmanship. His magnanimity and grace offer a glimmer of hope for St. Lucia that not all politicians are like many in the current administration, who are consumed by vindictiveness and self-interest.
The late, great George Jones once sang, “There’s no justice in this world anymore…” But I beg to differ. I humbly posit, that, indeed, there is justice in this world. I truly believe that justice will prevail, and the truth will ultimately be revealed. The people of St. Lucia will not be fooled by the deceitful tactics of this administration. The people will hold this administration accountable, and justice will boldly visit this administration in the ballot boxes when the time comes.
Until then, I urge the Prime Minister and Junior Minister to reflect on their actions, to own up to their mistakes, and to apologize for their egregious behavior.