Pringle at the UPP Protest
Delayed Police Response Causes Cancellation of Whistlestop
… While MP Pringle Awaits Questioning
The United Progressive Party (UPP) confirms the cancellation of the Whistlestop and Public Meeting planned for today, December 17, in the All Saints East and St. Luke constituency as, up until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, approval had not been obtained.
The Party’s application had been submitted and was acknowledged by the Police since Friday, December 12. On Tuesday, approval was subsequently received by the General Secretary at 5:08 p.m., after the Party had been forced to abort its plans, due to the lack of time to properly promote the event.
Subsequent information from the Police claimed that approval had been granted on Monday — but not communicated due to the Commissioner’s absence from office. However, the Party’s earlier inquiries into the status of the application had been met with indefinite answers.
Meanwhile, the UPP has been made aware of the Police’s intentions to take in Political Leader Jamale Pringle for questioning in connection with the destruction of APUA materials at Old Road last week.
Given that Prime Minister Gaston Browne has publicly accused MP Pringle of being involved, directly or indirectly, with the act of arson and called on the Police to take him in for questioning, Deputy Political Leader Sherfield Bowen has cautioned officers that detaining MP Pringle would be a dangerous political move.
The Party condemns PM Browne’s abuse of his position and parliamentary privilege to make these unfounded, dangerous, and libelous statements that clearly were intended to damage MP Pringle’s personal reputation and political credibility.
Further, the UPP expresses its deep disappointment in the conduct of House Speaker Osbert Frederick. His failure to apply the relevant Standing Orders allowed PM Browne to shamefully abuse the Leader of the Opposition and bring the House into disrepute — yet again displaying his naked partisanship and disgracing the Speaker’s Chair.