UPP Defends Senator Parker, Accuses PM Browne of Prejudicial Conduct

The opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) and its Women’s Forum have issued a strong statement in support of Senator Malaka Parker, condemning Prime Minister Gaston Browne for comments they say sought to link the opposition senator to an ongoing drug investigation.

The statement comes after authorities revealed that 54-year-old Dean Robert Gould, a pastor and barber of Cedar Grove, is assisting police with investigations following the seizure of nearly 60 pounds of suspected cannabis at the V.C. Bird International Airport on Saturday.

According to law enforcement officials, Gould arrived in Antigua on American Airlines Flight AA2579 on June 13. A police K9 unit reportedly alerted officers to two black duffle bags belonging to him. A subsequent search allegedly uncovered 60 parcels containing a greenish, bushy vegetable matter believed to be cannabis.

Reports have since emerged alleging that Gould and Senator Parker are acquainted. Prime Minister Browne also referenced Parker in comments made on his Facebook page following news of the drug seizure.

However, in a statement issued during the early hours of Monday morning, the UPP and its Women’s Forum criticized the Prime Minister’s remarks, arguing that no law enforcement agency had identified Parker as a suspect or person of interest in the matter.

“The United Progressive Party (UPP) and its Women’s Forum affirm their support for Senator Malaka Parker and condemn the prejudicial words and actions of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, whose social media posts, on Sunday, June 14, attempted to link her to an alleged criminal offense,” the statement said.

The party contended that the Prime Minister’s comments could be viewed as an attempt to influence public perception and potentially affect the course of investigations.

“Law-enforcement authorities had not announced any involvement by Senator Parker. Therefore, the prime minister’s actions can be construed only as a deliberate effort to influence the Police and to taint Senator Parker’s character in the most abhorrent way,” the statement continued.

The UPP further accused Browne of applying double standards, noting that he had not publicly commented on other recent matters involving allegations of drug trafficking or claims of wrongdoing involving members of his administration.

Among the examples cited were the dismissal of two recent drug trafficking cases and allegations surrounding a drug seizure at the General Post Office. The party also referenced the controversy surrounding the so-called “Vehicle-gate” matter, alleging that the Prime Minister had opposed calls for a transparent investigation.

The opposition described the Prime Minister’s conduct as hypocritical and called on the public to reject what it characterized as an attack on the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

“We call upon all right-thinking women and men to condemn the prime minister’s prejudicial actions and his attempt to up-end the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty,'” the statement said.

The UPP concluded by reaffirming its support for Parker, declaring, “We stand with Senator Parker.”

Neither Senator Parker nor the Prime Minister had issued any further statements on the matter up to press time, and no charges have been announced against Parker in connection with the ongoing investigation.