Minister of Helps Gets Apology

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Tuesday, 22 May 2012 02:30

By Colin Sampson

Antigua St John's - Minister of National Security & Labour Dr Errol Cort has replied to a letter of complaint sent to him by Eugene Humphreys, self-styled "Minister of Helps".

Humphreys sent his letter, dated May 9, 2012, after his protest march scheduled for May 3 was aborted because of the unexpected absence of a uniformed police escort. The march was set to start at 4:30 pm.

In his letter, the "Minister of Helps" asked the minister of National Security to investigate the circumstances.

Dr Cort, in a letter dated May 17, revealed the results of that investigation.

The problem was attributed to an "internal, unintentional, administrative oversight". This oversight, Dr Cort said, led the assigned police escort to arrive on the scene after the participants had already dispersed.

He extended an apology to Humphreys on behalf of the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbara, referring to the lapse as a "genuine oversight". Dr Cort assured the "Minister of Helps" that there would be no re-occurrence of such an administrative failure "at any future approved march/public meeting that (he) may endeavour to hold".

Dr Cort's letter was copied to Commissioner of Police Vere Browne, and is reprinted below.

While not impressed by the stated reason for what he views as a dereliction of duty by the police department, the "Minister of Helps" told CARIBARENA.COM that he was grateful to Dr Cort for responding to his request in such a timely manner. However, he was unable to say immediately whether he would be applying to hold another protest march, or when such an application might be made.

Although the minister of National Security's apology to Humphreys has been circulated to all media houses, only CARIBARENA.COM has so far seen fit to apprise the public of Dr Cort's response.

Humphreys has made his name synonymous with the principle of citizen action, especially as leader of the famous "Serial Marchers". The aborted protest action on May 3 was intended to highlight public demands for an inquiry into a "fences" scandal.

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