Rape case against St Vincent prime minister discontinued

Rape case against St Vincent prime minister discontinued

February 5, 2008
Caribbean Net News

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent: The case of sexual assault and rape of a 36-year-old police officer brought against St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has been discontinued before it reached the stage of a hearing.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Colin Williams on Monday took over the matter and discontinued it.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves
This country’s laws give the DPP the right to take over and continue or discontinue any criminal matter.
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

Last Thursday lawyers acting on behalf of police constable Michelle Andrews filed a private criminal complaint at the Serious Offenses Court, alleging Dr Gonsalves indecently assaulted and raped her.

“On a review of the totality of the evidence, there is no basis upon which Ralph Gonsalves could be charged for any of the offences as alleged,” the DPP said in a release to the media.

Williams said he did not have to give any reason(s) for his action and made the point the has the authority to take over any criminal and discontinue it “without providing any public explanation.”

“However, given the totality of the considerations in the present matter -- including the seriousness of the complaint, the fact that it is against the Prime Minister of the country, there is a perceived significant level of public interest, and the requirement for transparency -- I have decided to provide some information to the public," Williams said.

“Michele Andrews, a police constable -- who at the time was assigned to the Special Services Unit (SSU) -- was on duty at the Prime Minister’s official residence on 3rd of January 2008, working the midnight to 6:00 am shift. The private criminal complaints allege that she was indecently assaulted and raped on that day.

“To date, Constable Andrews has not provided any written report to the police detailing concerning the alleged incident or in support of her oral allegation. Requests of Constable Andrews by the police for a statement were met with the response that she needed to have her counsel present when giving her statement.”

Williams’ release stated Andrews was informed that the police had no difficulty with her attorney present, when she was giving the statement to the police.

“She went to counsel’s chambers and a telephone call was made back to the police indicating that a copy of her statement will be provided to the police. This undertaking, given last week Thursday, prior to the filing of the private criminal complaint, has not been kept,” Williams’ release stated.

The DPP said he wrote to Andrews’ attorney on Friday 1st February, “requesting that a copy of her statement be provided either to the Commissioner of Police, or to me -- for onward transmission to the Commissioner.”

Williams said he give Andrews’ attorney until midday Monday to forward any statement Andrews may have provided them with.

“Ms Andrews’ lawyer informed me by letter that they will not provide the requested documentation, saying that they have filed a private criminal complaint so ‘in the circumstances we cannot accede to your request’.”

Williams said the Commissioner of Police provided him with a file containing statements, including an eyewitness to the Prime Minister’s activities on the morning Andrews said she was indecently assaulted and raped.

According to Williams, several witnesses give various accounts as to what Andrews told them.

The release stated witnesses said they were told by Andrews that Dr Gonsalves kissed her, or he tried to rape her: “None said she reported that she was raped.”

There is also an absence of any medical or forensic evidence to support the constable’s claim, Williams‘ release stated.

“If this were a case involving an ordinary member of the public, I would not have hesitated to direct the police not to lay any charges. I see no reason why one should apply a different standard just because a high profile individual is involved. In fact, the same lawyers representing Constable Andrews are usually very vocal when they perceive there is not sufficient evidence to support a case against their clients,” Williams said in his release.

Dr Gonsalves issued a statement last week Friday denying the charges made against him.

Police officer Andrews has been a member of the Police Force for the past seven years and was attached to the Immigrant Department before moving to the SSU.

Following the allegations of indecent assault and rape Andrews made against Dr Gonsalves, she was transferred, at her request, from the SSU to another Branch and is attached to the Processing Department.

Andrews is now away from the job on sick leave.

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