After days of public speculation, the government of Saint Lucia has finally broken its silence surrounding an ongoing police investigation targeting Richard Frederick, the country’s incumbent Minister for Housing, Local Government and Urban Renewal, confirming it will not intervene in the active law enforcement process.
In an official statement distributed to media outlets on Friday evening, the administration confirmed it had received official notification that Frederick was taken into police custody for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation before being released shortly after the interrogation.
“Since this matter remains an active, ongoing legal process, we will not offer any public comment on details that could risk prejudicing or interfering with any lawful investigation,” the statement noted. The government went on to reaffirm its unwavering respect for both the operational independence of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and the core principle of the rule of law that underpins the island nation’s governance.
“We remain fully committed to upholding the constitutional order, ensuring that all legal processes move forward without improper interference, and in full alignment with the Constitution and laws of Saint Lucia,” the statement added.
The administration also emphasized its long-standing commitment to government transparency and public accountability, noting that it would update the public on key developments appropriately as confirmed official information becomes available to share.
The investigation first came to public light when Frederick himself revealed details during his weekly online public program *Can I Help You?* on Thursday night. The minister told viewers that plainclothes law enforcement officers arrived at his private residence early that same morning, and that he voluntarily accompanied officers to the central police station to cooperate with their inquiries.
While Frederick chose not to disclose the specific nature of the allegations underpinning the investigation, he offered a brief, personal remark to reassure his audience: “There are certain lines I have never crossed, and I will never cross them…. I am a father of five daughters.”