PHILIPSBURG:--- The leader of the United Saint Maarten Party (USP) Frans Richardson hand delivered a letter to Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson on Friday when he met with him at his office around 1pm.
SMN News understands that the USP leader made clear that as a coalition partner he got that Ministry and since he formed part of the coalition he is not informed on how the Justice Ministry functions.
After the meeting with the Minister of Justice MP Frans Richardson showed up at the Government Administration Building where members of the coalition met.
Attending that meeting which lasted over three hours were the leader of the UPP Theodore Heyliger, MP Franklin Meyers, MP Silvio Master, MP Maurice Lake, MP Leona Marlin, MP Cornelius de Weever, and MP Johan Janchi Leonard.
Also in attendance was Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson and the other members of the Council of Ministers.
When the meeting ended all Members of Parliament left stating that nothing happened and that the coalition meeting was called to discuss the budget. Some of the MP’s said that the budget has some serious issues and as Members of the current coalition they have to find solutions to the problems facing the country. Asked if the protocol on the establishment of an integrity chamber was discussed and the removal of the Minister of Justice from his office was discussed the MP’s said that they did not have time to discuss those issues since the budget issues are greater and as Members of Parliament they are not being updated by the Council of Ministers even though they are the ones that formed the government.
However, SMN News understands that the coalition did discuss the removal of the Minister of Justice Friday afternoon. According to information reaching SMN News Minister Richardson feels that he is being the “sacrificial lamb” for the protocol he signed on behalf of Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs since the portfolio to deal with the Kingdom falls under the Prime Minister. It is left to be seen if Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs will stick to his words and resign now that Minister Dennis Richardson has to take the fall for him.
