UPP Senator Malaka Parker
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.
Gaston Brown has no morals nor principles.
Just sending out that press release alone makes it even more suspicious. You people don’t know when to he quiet
Guilty conscience need no accuser the PM did not say anything to link her with what you guys are talking about you but you are the one that is drawing people’s attention to her and what happens
Antigua small so everybody knew Senator Malaka’s boyfriend is of questionable character. UPP Women’s should focus on getting Malaka the mental help she needs to move on from this guy, rather than getting in another silly squabble wit the PM. How does that help Malaka in anyway?
Her brother isn’t in jail for the same drugs bust?! Ms. Parker it was better you stayed quiet
Where on earth do you find a perfect family, a family without faults? Doesn’t Gaston Browne have a rapist brother who is in jail? I am sure he has other family members who have been in trouble with the law, and he is our Prime Minister, whom we have voted for four times.
Gaston Browne jr. was arrested in the ISA years ago for domestic abuse
What does Ms. Parker’s ex-boyfriend and brother’s drug behavior have to do with her? Gaston Browne has a rapist brother and other criminals in his family, too, and he is the leader of the country and the government. There is no perfect family in this world. Are we saying that she should not run for politics? So that it is then, we don’t want a PM whose brother is a rapist and more.
Once again UPP missed the mark..
The standard cannot be who is worse than who.
Your candidate made the choice to be involved with a career criminal…
Her choice, Her right as a human being so to do..
He is a convicted sex offender wow did his time..
Before this incident it was widely assumed he was a drug dealer. Responsible for the importation of Ari into this country. Now it looks more like facts..
So forget about Gaston brown and his comments. your candidate made the choice to be involved with such a person..
It would have been best for the UPP to stay out of this private matter since at the very lest your candidate as shown very poor judgment in who she associates with….
My thoughts……
I will be quietly sitting in a corner and watching and observing
It will be important to separate allegations from verified evidence.