President of the New Democratic (NDP) Party Arnhim Eustace said the NDP’s founder, Sir James Mitchell, was “wrong” to make the statement that he does not trust “even Jesus Christ” when it comes to elections.{{more}}

Speaking at a NDP public meeting at Long Piece, North Union, in the South Central Windward constituency on Saturday, September 18, Eustace said that the NDP “cannot defend that statement” and he believes Sir James “will make his own statement shortly for the benefit of the public.”

Mitchell made the statement on Friday, September 10, at a NDP public meeting at Enhams, while calling for the presence of international observers for the general elections, constitutionally due by March 2011.

“We want them here to go and see what is happening with the Supervisor of Elections. I know she is an honourable lady, a distinguished lady and so on, but I don’t even trust Jesus Christ with any elections,” Sir James said.

“Until I see the results, Jesus Christ is honorable and wonderful, but while I exaggerating to get you to the point, you have to make sure that the job is done and I am only going to pass judgement to say that we have a wonderful Supervisor of Elections only when the elections over. I don’t trust a soul when it comes to elections.”

Eustace said he was not at the meeting where Sir James made the statement, but Sir James himself was “concerned enough” that he called him (Eustace) the very next morning after the meeting and said, ‘I did something wrong.’

“I just want to let people understand that the New Democratic Party cannot defend that statement and we will allow Sir James to come forward and say what he has to say to the public of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Eustace said.