Chastanet Says Hilaire, Emmanuel Hiding Behind Statements

Opposition leader Allen Chastanet has accused Investment Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire and the CEO of the Citizenship By Investment Unit, Mc Claude Emmanuel, of hiding behind prepared statements amid the controversy over alleged misconduct in Saint Lucia’s Citizenship By Investment Programme (CIP). On Tuesday, Chastanet made a strong call for action at an opposition United Workers Party (UWP) news conference, demanding the immediate dismissal of both men. The UWP leader’s remarks came one day after Mc Claude Emmanuel’s statement denying sharing information that implicated Dr. Hilaire in any alleged CIP scam. However, Chastanet raised several questions regarding Emmanuel’s statement. In addition, the UWP leader declared that the Citizenship By Investment Unit CEO did not have the courage to hold a press conference, allowing the local media to question him and bring clarity to his written statement. Chastanet also questioned why Dr. Hilaire promised a statement for Wednesday. “A situation like this calls for him to have a press conference with his board and with the CEO in which they can answer questions, rather than hide behind statements and then to use propaganda,” the former Prime Minister told reporters. Chastanet declared it clear that Emmanuel’s statement this week was intended to...