PHILIPSBURG:---- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson did not mingle with words on Monday when he reported to parliament to continue discussions on the protocol he signed on behalf of St. Maarten with the Kingdom. In addressing the questions posed to him especially when it comes to corruption “the underworld and upper world” Minister Richardson said that the Dutch have been accusing everyone on St. Maarten, from politicians, civil servants and almost everyone in society to be involved in corruption “To be honest I am dead tired of these statements but has ignored the statements and accusations thus far, but today my perception has changed because the Attorney General of St. Maarten made those same statements on Friday. The has changed the ball game because the Attorney General has to know, he has to make statements based on facts. He cannot make assumptions or generalizations. The role of the Public Prosecutor’s office is not assume but they have to come up with facts.”
Minister Richardson said when these statements were being used in the Netherlands he did not pay much attention to it even though the entire country has been smeared and even members of his family would question him about it. The Minister of Justuce said with the statements made by the attorney general has changed his opinion. “Today my position has changed it is either Attorney General put up or shut up, the attorney general has to prove and or justify his claims or shut the hell up. This has to stop.”
Several Members of Parliament questioned the Minister on the role of the 55 RST detectives that will be coming to St. Maarten. Most of them wanted to know who these extra detectives will be reporting to while working on St. Maarten.
Based on the statements made by the Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson it is clear that he will not be tolerating nonsense from the Attorney General and it seems as though the days of this Attorney General is numbered. The Minister of Justice did not say what actions he will take but it is clear that he is disgusted and will not tolerate anymore insults from Dutch civil servants working on St. Maarten.
On Wednesday morning Minister Richardson reinstated the statements he made on Monday. The Minister quoted articles from two integrity reports namely the Do it Right Committee and Transparency International. Both reports indicated that while there are perceptions of corruption there are no hard facts or proof of such. He further stated that the Public Prosecutor’s Office especially the Attorney General represents an institution that has to base their statements and conclusions on facts and not perceptions, therefore he will take the necessary actions in order for the Public Prosecutor’ Office on St. Maarten to refrain from making statements or allegations based on political perceptions in the Netherlands.
