Nicolas is not a member of Cabinet says PM Friday

Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday has dismissed claims that Nicholas Friday, his son, is a member of Cabinet.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in New York on Sunday, September 20,2026, Prime Minister Friday said the premise of a question raised earlier about his son being a member of Cabinet was incorrect and he asked the person who asked the question if he had actually left home to ask that question.

“Nicholas is my son. That’s nonsense. Of course he is not, and he’s not in Cabinet or any of that thing,” Dr. Friday said.

He said Nicholas provides valuable service to him, the government and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“…[the] service that he provides to me and to the government and people of St Vincent and the Grenadines…is immeasurable. I tell you, he’s a capable young man. He does tremendous work on behalf of the people of this country,” the prime minister, added while describing the person who asked the question as a “provocateur” and stating “I know him, so I could call him that”.

On January 29, 2026, one of the attempted questions posed in Parliament was in relation to the role of the younger Friday in government.

The Speaker of House threw out the question. Last year after being sworn in as Prime Minister, Dr. Friday said Nicholas was acting as his assistant or aide and that he was not on the public payroll. He also stressed that he trusts his son. Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, later submitted a question for oral answer in Parliament, in which he said the Opposition was seeking clarity, following the prime minister’s public acknowledgment that his son has been serving as his assistant or aide without receiving a salary from the Government.

One question sought clarification on whether the prime minister’s son had attended any private or official meetings relating to public affairs, whether records of such meetings are being kept, and whether he has had access to official or confidential documents.

Back then people were asking questions whether Nicholas had taken the required oath of secrecy; whether he receives any stipend, allowance, or benefit-in-kind from public funds; and whether any private individual or entity outside the central government has contributed financially or otherwise to his involvement.