If we had published on the weekend of the 18th October, 2019 we would have headlined this story, but miss the compound of what was later described by the first victim as “appalling and unprofessional”, and later by the President of Civil Service Association (CSA), Mrs. Nyota Mulcare, as “atrocious, unprofessional and demeaning”.
The report as described in a letter to His Excellency Governor Andrew Pearce, which upon our investigation, naturally and accurately by the Montserrat Civil Service Association president, describes the very questionable conduct of the Hon Deputy Governor on October 16, 2019 at the Human Resource Management Unit where her third in command works as the Director of the Unit under her (the Director’s) supervisor who heads the unit.
Mrs. Mulcare wrote to the Governor on October 21, 2019, excerpted as follows: “On 16th October the HDG Mrs. Lyndell Simpson stormed into the HR Management Unit (HRMU) without stopping at the front desk or greeting anyone, stood in the hallway for the entire staff (senior, middle and junior) to hear, and bellowed at the Director Miss Joycelyn Hogan, in the office. The HDG bawled out that she was not there as the HDG bus as the mother of her son. The HDG was there to scold the Director.
“Again, on 19 October 2019 after the above-mentioned incident, the Hon DG Lyndell Simpson approached another parent, Mrs. Mahala Gilford, while she was shopping in a (popular) public supermarket where she verbally abused her in the presence of all and sundry.”
Mrs. Mulcare in her letter to the Governor, that to her knowledge, (she must be correct) once or unless revoked, he/she cannot declare to hold the position when it is convenient. She notes that the behaviour displayed by “the Hon Deputy Governor, in both instances was unprofessional and demeaning for a person holding such a high office (indeed any public officer) referring to some of the Public Service Code of Conduct, and Deputy Governor’s post duties and obligations. (See these published here for the information and benefit of our readers)
Mrs. Mulcare continues in her letter: “Clearly, the hon DG has failed to display the desired qualities of the role of HDG and she has breached several sections of the Code of Conduct. The situation has deteriorated to the point where memes and quotes have flooded the internet. One such example: “We have a serial curser as Head of the public Service on the loose,” evidence that the public has lost confidence in her ability to ‘continue in her current role.’
She noted that “if it were any other public officer, the Hon DG would have stepped in to discipline, charge or terminate that officer forthwith.“
The president questioned whether the DG “can be allowed to do as she pleases and continue to bring the Public Service into disrepute?”
“It is the obligation of the Union to protect the rights, interest and welfare of its members. Therefore, if no action is taken, further recourse will be sought,” and the Union continues to seek action in spite of the Governor’s condemnation and charge of
She pointed out confidence that the Secretary of State or the Queen herself would view these displays as distasteful and would agree that she is not worthy of this supreme office, given her actions, “nor will they be pleased to discover that no action is being taken following these disreputable displays of behaviour.”
“As the Governor, you must ensure that professionalism is upheld at the highest order. Mrs. Lyndell Simpson, the Hon D G has certainly abused her power and has pulled down the Public Service – and by extension Montserrat,” Mrs. Mulcare also said,
To end her letter the MCSA president recommended that the DG should (1) make a public apology; (2) if not, she must tender her resignation with immediate effect; (3) In the absence of 1 and 2, her service from the post of Hon Deputy Governor should be terminated in the public interest with immediate effect.
These recommendations were to take place by Wednesday, October 23, 2019.
TMR is still waiting upon inquiry what action has been taken by H E since the reports. Miss Hogan had reported the matter to him almost immediately following the incident, but reports back to the Governor that she was “very disheartened with the advice he had given.”
