Waves of public speculation have rippled across Saint Lucia’s political landscape this week after Housing Minister and Castries Central Member of Parliament Richard Frederick was summoned by local police for questioning in an ongoing investigation. In a public address to clear his name amid swirling rumors, the senior government official has firmly asserted his innocence and stressed he has “nothing to fear” from the ongoing probe.
Frederick shared details of the encounter during his weekly public affairs program *Can I Help You* broadcast on Thursday night, confirming that plainclothes and uniformed police officers arrived at his private residence early Thursday morning with a request that he accompany them to the central police station for formal questioning tied to an active case.
“I was greeted, sadly, by a barrage of police officers at my house this morning,” Frederick recalled to listeners. “I asked what the visit was in connection with, they explained the situation, and I fully cooperated with their process. They carried out their required procedures and informed me they needed me to come to the station for questioning, so I went with them voluntarily.”
After learning the specific nature of the allegations under investigation, Frederick said he remained unshakably confident that the process would clear his name, as he was certain he had violated no laws or ethical standards. “When I heard of the allegations, I knew in my heart of hearts… Richard has nothing to fear,” he stated.
The minister chose not to disclose sensitive details of the ongoing investigation, explaining that he refused to take any action that could undermine the integrity of the police inquiry. “I don’t want to go into everything because obviously the police are conducting their investigations, and I don’t want in any way, shape or form to compromise the integrity of the investigations,” he said.
While declining to share specifics, Frederick strongly pushed back against unconfirmed public hints of misconduct involving boundary violations, a veiled reference to reports that have circulated in local gossip circles. “What I do know is this man you see there, call me what you want, call me this, call me that, but there are certain things I don’t cross boundaries on – never and never will…. I have five daughters,” he said, emphasizing his personal commitment to ethical conduct.
During the on-air interview, program host Albert Daniels openly noted that local law enforcement had been actively investigating reports connected to Frederick, a claim the minister did not dispute. Frederick went on to reaffirm that he trusts the investigative process and has no intention of interfering with police work. “I feel good because one of the things you never want to do is interfere. Let the police do the investigations and let them be satisfied that they have conducted their investigation,” he added.
Frederick’s public statement came in direct response to widespread social media and local media reports that spread across Saint Lucia on Thursday claiming a senior cabinet official had been taken into police custody. Earlier that same day, Police Commissioner Verne Garde declined to publicly confirm or deny the arrest claims, only issuing a brief statement emphasizing that equal application of the law applies to all residents of the country, and no individual is exempt from legal process regardless of their position.