CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The leader of the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP), Allen Chastanet, says the ruling St. Lucia Labour Party (SLP) is overreacting to reports that young people, frustrated by the economic situation, were entertaining the idea of killing Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony.
The SLP had called on Police Commissioner Vernon Francois to investigate the report made during a television programme earlier this month.
The SLP’s public relations officer, Winston Springer, said during the programme two of the guests revealed how they were frustrated at not being able to find employment and generally survive in the current economic environment, and that they at times felt like killing the Prime Minister.
Police have since interviewed Lashawn Lambert, who publicly spoke of the matter on the television show.
But Chastanet said while he thinks the threat “is an extremely serious matter,” he did not think that when the young man made the claim, he was threatening the prime minister.
“I think he was crying out to the young people who are being marginalised and have lost hope,” the UWP leader said, adding the unemployment figure for young people is as high as 44 per cent.
“That to my mind is what the government should have been reacting to,” Chastanet said.