Police: No attempt to arrest Senator

WHILE MEMBERS of the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) were bracing for the arrest of Senator Daniel Cummings last Monday, Superintendent of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Ekron Lockhart is baffled as to where the opposition could have got information that an arrest warrant was supposedly issued or was being drafted up for Cummings’ arrest.{{more}}

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, Superintendent Lockhart said “categorically no” to claims that Cummings was to be arrested for his part in the confrontation with police that took place shortly after 4 p.m., during the Friday, April 27, protest action outside the Grenadines wharf.

The opposition had mounted protest action against the recently implemented $1 user fee for passengers traveling to the Grenadines.

Shortly after 4 p.m., when the protest was winding down to an uneventful end, the main gate to the wharf was opened to let through a car. Persons wanting to avoid paying the user fee rushed behind the car and clashed with police.

In the midst of the melee, two opposition parliamentarians, Senator Daniel Cummings and North Grenadines’ representative Dr Godwin Friday claim that they were assaulted by police – Senator Cummings stated that a police officer reached through the gate and cuffed him in his mouth.

Officers were also accused of making violent threats and politically charged remarks against the parliamentarians and others.

During a press conference held by Opposition Leader, Arhnim Eustace last Monday, he claimed that he was reliably informed that there was intention by the police to arrest Cummings.

Superintendent Lockhart however stressed that no such action was being taken nor were there attempts made to arrest the politician. He however said that an investigation spearheaded by Inspector Franklin Williams had been launched into the matter.

The senior police officer told SEARCHLIGHT that once the investigation is completed and the report submitted then any action deemed necessary will be taken.

Lockhart assured SEARCHLIGHT that such action will be taken whether it is against police officers or persons who were part of the protest action. He said that the police would be looking to interview as many eyewitnesses as possible.

Senator Cummings has sent an official letter of complaint to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Bertram Pompey.