Housing Minister Richard Frederick has been placed on administrative leave as matters surrounding talk of financial misconduct are being ironed out.
That was the word from Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
In explaining the reasoning behind the decision, PM Pierre indicated that it was prudent that the minister be absent from office to allay fear of interference into what seem to be a forensic look at the operations of the St. Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).
The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) previously raised questions concerning allegations against Frederick and called into question the operations of the SSDF.
The allegations were tested by the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), after arresting and questioning Frederick, however following a final report, Police Commissioner Verne Garde revealed that the “allegations were not sustained.”
“Until further notice” was the response from the prime minister when he was asked to speak on the duration of Frederick’s administrative. “The minister involved has been asked to recluse himself so he is not going to be in the cabinet during that time and he has been asked to go on administrative leave. That doesn’t imply any guilt, it emphasizes our government’s position of having nothing to hide. The minister will not be exercising any ministerial duties during that time to allow all questions that anyone wants to ask to be answered and to allow the process to continue. The SSDF will continue. The SSDF is an organization of high priority for the government and its functions to assist the underserved, the lower income, the differently abled, and the young people.”
While the housing minister will not be attending cabinet meetings, his responsibility as the parliamentary representative for Castries Central will continue unaffected.
Pierre took the opportunity, when asked, to reiterate that he has a zero tolerance for individuals proven to be corrupt. “I’ve said before, any member of my cabinet who has been proven to be involved in corruption, I’ll fire them.”