(SNO) – Leader of the Opposition, the Rt Hon Dr Denzil L Douglas reiterated a call Tuesday for the resignations of St Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Tourism and International Trade and Member of Parliament, Hon Lindsay Grant and Ambasador for Youth and Culture, His Excellency Jonel Powell in the Timothy Harris-led Team Unity Government, following an order by a High Court Judge that a Disciplinary Commitee consisting of two High Court judges be established to determine whether they should be suspended for a period of time or be struck off the Court’s Roll for misappropriation of US$460,000(EC$1.2 million) belong to a client.
“The Parliamentary Opposition continues to be extremely concerned and alarmed by the legal developments involving St Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Tourism and International Trade, Hon Lindsay Grant and Ambassador for Culture and Sports, Jonel Powell in relation to a civil case that was brought against them and to which a High Court Judge found them liable for misappropriation of over one million EC dollars in client’s funds.
During his weekly radio call-in programme “Ask the Leader” on Tuesday night, Dr Douglas said this latest legal development represents a very damning indictment on the character of these two public servants and speaks to the conviction of the High Court judge that Grant and Powell’s professional misconduct merits some form of disciplinary action.
Dr Douglas noted that Justice Ventose confirmed that “misappropriation of funds of an Attorney-at-Law of client funds is a serious matter” and instructed the Registrar of the High Court to establish the Disciplinary Tribunal within sixty (60) days of his February 27, 2020 ruling in consultation with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
“The February 27, 2020 ruling therefore was a very serious and damning indictment on the character of the Hon Lindsay Grant and Ambassador Jonel Powel who will be either suspended or disbarred for misappropriating clients funds. We in the Parliamentary Opposition demand that they resign immediately consequent to the High Court ruling which has proven that they are unfit to hold public office,” said Dr Douglas, the Political Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP).