The United Workers Party (UWP) is calling on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to address the nation following public confirmation that Cabinet Minister Richard Frederick is the subject of an active police investigation.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, July 8, the opposition party said the circumstances surrounding the investigation represent an extraordinary development involving a senior member of the Government and require a response from the country’s political leadership.
The call follows confirmation from Minister Frederick that officers of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force descended on his residence on July 2, 2026. The press release further indicated that the Minister was questioned by investigators for several hours and that his cellular phone was seized as part of the investigation. The Minister also indicated that he could not provide further comment while the matter remains under investigation.
Whilst expressing that “the investigation must be allowed to proceed independently, professionally and without interference” and that “The United Workers Party will not speculate on matters that are properly the responsibility of the investigators,” they argue that the existence of an ongoing police investigation does not remove the Prime Minister’s responsibility to account to the public and determine whether political action is required.
The UWP have further posed a number of questions including:
“Has the Prime Minister been formally briefed on this investigation?”
“Does Richard Frederick continue to enjoy the Prime Minister’s full confidence?”
“Will Minister Frederick continue to discharge the responsibilities of ministerial office while he is the subject of an active police investigation?”
The Party contends that these questions relate to political accountability and fall within the Prime Minister’s responsibility as head of Cabinet, noting that “The Office of the Prime Minister carries the ultimate responsibility for the conduct, credibility and accountability of the Cabinet. That responsibility cannot be deferred simply because a police investigation is underway.”
The UWP has therefore called on Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to “address the nation without further delay.”
The matter remains the subject of an active police investigation, and no findings or allegations have been publicly disclosed by authorities.