Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire has publicly addressed the assault charges filed against him, labeling the case as a politically driven maneuver. The charges stem from an alleged altercation with journalist Eldrise Charles inside the Parliament building in August. During a press conference on October 22, Hilaire accused certain factions within the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) and the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) of orchestrating what he termed a “baseless and politically motivated” accusation.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 19, during a UWP-led protest outside Parliament, where Charles, wearing a protest-themed t-shirt, attempted to interview government ministers. A video later surfaced showing Hilaire allegedly interacting with Charles, who claimed he “placed his hand on her back and pushed her out of Parliament.” Hilaire vehemently denied the allegations, stating that video evidence disproves the claims.
Hilaire criticized Inspector George Clarke, who led the investigation, accusing him of political bias and alleging that Clarke is a known UWP operative. He questioned the expedited handling of the case, noting that it was completed in less than two months, a timeline he deemed suspicious. Hilaire expressed disappointment that the police were focusing on what he called a frivolous case instead of addressing serious issues affecting Saint Lucians.
The Deputy Prime Minister revealed that he had previously enjoyed a cordial relationship with Charles and was surprised by her complaint. He stated that he would have apologized if she had expressed any offense. Hilaire also questioned Charles’ motives, pointing to her public commentary on the case before it reached court.
Despite the controversy, Hilaire reaffirmed his commitment to his duties as a government minister and vowed to fight the charges with all legal resources available. He emphasized that the government remains focused on serving the people and will not be distracted by what he described as political theatrics. Hilaire is scheduled to appear in court on December 4, 2025, for case management.