By Warren Cassell
Premier Reuben T. Meade called on residents to desist from petty political differences that are designed to create violence and disturbance during the election campaign.
According to ZJB Radio Mr. Meade made a statement against the background of an incident which he claimed threatened his safety on Radio Montserrat premises on Monday night August 25.
The reports reaching TMR are that during Mr. Meade’s interview with MNI Alive’s Jeevan Robinson Mr. Meade was asked whether he condone’s fear tactics and made the following statements: “I am not aware that MCAP is getting involved in any fear tactics. Let me put it this way. We don’t have any known criminals putting up signs in the dead of night in hoodies in Montserrat……. In Montserrat PDM is using a known criminal to put up the red plastic on all the lamp posts them and doing things in hoodies. At 3:15 in the morning you have two persons with hoodies coming out of Don Romeo’s house. It’s a statement I can backup with facts because I’ve seen the person myself. …So when you are talking about fear tactics, you have known drug people nominating the former leader of the opposition convicted of drugs and drug dealing in Montserrat and that’s the person nominating you…. Do you see anybody from MCAP in a hoodie going around sticking up things on people vehicles?”
Further reports say that about 30 minutes after that Mr. Meade was informed that a young man was outside on ZJB’s Varandah. TMR has since learnt that the man to whom the Premier referred was Leverson Charles commonly known as “Goldie”. Mr. Meade remained inside and telephoned the Police who showed up. Persons who were present told TMR that Mr. Charles did not address Mr. Meade in any form or fashion but only exclaimed in amazement at how the police was contacted when there was no confrontation. Charles said the Police told him that the Premier said that he (Mr. Charles) should have nothing to do with him (the Premier).
Speaking on the Breakfast Show the following morning, Premier Meade explained that that he was forced to call the police to provide escort from the Radio Station to his home, because his personal safety was compromised. He is calling for a clean and peaceful campaign free of violence and the threat of violence. Premier Meade while accusing MCAP and PDM supporters for inciting violence, also made it clear that he doesn’t want Montserrat to go through an election where he is fighting to retain political office at the expense of the island. “The day I need police protection is the day I totally give up politics”. This many find ironic since it was the Premier who requested the police’s presence, after he made unsavoury remarks and before he was accosted about them.
While some shared a similar concern, many felt that the incident was blown out of proportion. MNI Alive’s Jeevan Robinson, fact checking during this election season tracked down the individuals the Premier referred to as “hooded individuals” who visited Don Romeo’s house at 3 a.m. and conducted an exclusive interview.
According to Miss Carmelita Kirwan, she resides in the village of Davy Hill and had a medical emergency. She turned to the leader of the Opposition. “I walked from my home in Davy Hill to Mr. Romeo’s home. When I knocked on the door the mom answered. She told me that he was sleeping…he responded and he didn’t hesitate and took me to casualty,” she said.
She explained that her daughter who accompanied her was dressed in what is referred to as ‘a hoodie’ (as seen in this photo)
The MNI Alive’s Editor-in-Chiefalso caught up with Martha Farrell who nominated Don Romeo seeking her response to being referrred to as a “criminal”. She told Mr. Robinson that as the Premier he should not come on the radio and make such a comment. She also said that she has during and since prison sought to improve herself and became certified to take care of the elderly.
Meantime, political leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Donaldson Romeo is also reaching out to supporters, as well as citizens and friends in what he calls this tense moment leading up to the September 11th poll. Romeo is calling on residents to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner at all times.
Meanwhile Charles told TMR that there was never an intention on his part to confront the Premier with any violence. “I felt that he is a down to earth man that I could have reasoned with. It is unfortunate that he took such drastic action. I only attended the station to speak to Mr. Meade to express how disappointed I was at his remarks.”
When the story unfold the question by many asked about the Premier’s statement that he saw ‘criminals in hoodies’ out side Romeo’s house at 3-O’Clock in the morning. “Could that be true? What was he doing there?”
