Pierre Says ‘Calixte Can Defend Himself’

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, describing Sir Calixte George as a grown man whom he has great respect for, told reporters on Monday that he would not be drawn into defending the former Minister. Sir Calixte is the center of controversy over remarks he made last week on the MBC Television show ‘Can I Help You.’ The former Minister said looking at United Workers Party (UWP) leader Allen Chastanet’s demeanor and actions in the House of Assembly, one could see the effect of a slave driver. “What you have there now in Saint Lucia is a slave master with a whole set of house slaves in the United Workers Party,” Sir Calixte asserted. The UWP condemned the comments, accusing the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) of vile racism and bigotry. The opposition group also urged Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and the SLP to condemn the racist remarks from a man it said is a senior labour party member. In response, Pierre told reporters he did not know what Sir Calixte said and would not comment. “I don’t know what he said. I didn’t hear what he said. I am not going to comment on what he said,” the...