A United Workers Party (UWP) contingent led by Deputy Political Leader Dominic Fedee descended on the office of the prime minister to deliver a letter Monday demanding the dismissal of Housing Minister Richard Frederick.
The call came amidst allegations of serious misconduct leveled at the minister which the UWP says is unacceptable and must result in the dismissal of the accused Castries Central parliamentarian.
The lunchtime delivery of the letter, which was not immediately available to the press, follows a release from the UWP only days ago that called on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to speak on the accountability issue of SSDF funds. St. Lucia Social Development Fund {SSDF} is alleged to be part of an ongoing police investigation.
Frederick, who has admitted to being questioned by officers of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), has vehemently denied being involved in any misconduct.
Fedee insist that while the UWP is not attempting to preempt the outcome of the investigation, Frederick must be relieved of his ministerial responsibilities pending the investigations outcome.
Fedee recalls a similar call from Prime Minister Pierre, then in opposition, in regards to a “less serious” situation involving then UWP government minister Ubaldus Raymond. The deputy party leader contends that the prime minister’s moral position then should be applied in this situation as well.
Speaking on his televised show, Frederick has retreated to not making any more public comments on the allegations particularly in light of the ongoing investigation.
St. Lucia’s Police Commissioner Verne Garde, when pressed by the journalist at a recent police press conference, has remained tight-lipped on the investigation, not confirming or denying any particulars of the police probe.
The government, in a released statement, has made it clear that no pronouncements will be made during this active investigation that could prejudice its lawful process.
Richard Frederick, a former UWP parliamentarian, has been at constant odds with the UWP since his departure from the organization more than 10 years ago.
In 2023, Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet wrote to then Police Commissioner Cruscita Descartes-Pelius concerning comment made by Frederick on his televised show about his interaction with members of the RSLPF.
In 2025 a court ordered Chastanet to pay Frederick $60,000 is damages stemming from a 2023 case involving a video on a facebook post focused on Bananes land.
The ongoing investigation was also the central focal point of yesterdays’ UWP Press conference at the office of the leader of the opposition.