PNCR-1G councillor arrested on assault complaint
The statutory meeting of the Region Four council was adjourned yesterday amid disarray for the second month in a row over the suspension of PPP/C councillor Kwame McKoy and a PNCR-1G councillor was later arrested on an accusation that she had assaulted McKoy, a charge she denied.
Following the meeting, which lasted a mere 10 minutes, McKoy told Stabroek News that it was adjourned after it was learnt that the Clerk attached to the Regional Democratic Council office had not issued a letter of suspension to him. He said that he was present at the meeting as an elected official and that he will be participating in future council matters once he is available. He charged that following yesterday’s forum he was “assaulted” by PNCR-1G councillor Maureen Philadelphia, who later denied the allegation. He said that he had camera footage to substantiate this.
The PNCR last evening condemned the police action. In a statement it said “The police officer insisted that Ms Philadelphia should accompany her to the BV Police Station. She was detained for more than two (2) hours while the Police sought to extract from her a statement in response to the allegations made. She was not released until after the intervention of an Attorney-at-Law retained by the PNCR. It is significant that, at the time of her release at 4:30pm and at 4:40 pm, when the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin, M.P., visited the Station, there was no written statement by Mr. McKoy at the BV Police Station in relation to the alleged incident.
“The PNCR also understands that, subsequent to the Leader of the Opposition speaking to the Commissioner of Police and leaving the compound of the BV Police station, Mr. McKoy turned up at the Police Station and attempted to rectify the situation.
“The PNCR condemns the behaviour by officers of the BV Police Station and calls on the Commissioner of Police to rein in his ranks. The Leader of the PNCR has already written the Commissioner of Police requesting an investigation into this matter.”
Regional Chairman Clement Corlette, during a briefing with sections of the media stated that as yesterday’s forum got underway, McKoy’s presence at the meeting was questioned by one of the councillors present, since according to him, the meeting could not continue with a suspended member.
He said that the Clerk attached to the Region, Ashford Ambedkar, was asked whether a letter of suspension was sent to McKoy and on taking to the floor, Ambedkar stated that this was not done. Corlette said that following a meeting of the council recently, where it was unanimously agreed that McKoy should be suspended from the council for a period of 90 days for disobedience and disorderly conduct, the clerk “was duly written” to by him (Corlette) to dispatch a letter of suspension to McKoy. According to Corlette, on these grounds the meeting was subsequently adjourned.
Anthony Haynes, one of three Alliance For Change (AFC) members of the RDC, also expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation and according to him, the party is not “in collusions with the PNCR” as regards council matters. Other members of the council also expressed annoyance at the current situation, some stating that it does not reflect a responsible and respectable image of public officials.
Philadelphia giving her version of events following the adjournment of yesterday’s meeting, said that she was chatting with someone on the corridors of the RDC office and soon after she decided to make her way into an office nearby. She said that McKoy was talking with another member of the council and as she asked the two “for an excuse”, there was a verbal exchange following which McKoy “pushed” her.
Soon after Corlette’s briefing with the media, a police officer attached to the Beterverwagting Police Station showed up at the RDC office to “arrest Philadelphia” in relation to an assault allegation.
This sparked a heated commotion in the corridors of the RDC office as members of the council, mainly from the PNCR-1G including Corlette, jumped to the defence of Philadelphia, some stating that it was McKoy who assaulted the woman. Corlette stated that he witnessed the incident and cautioned McKoy during the melee.
The lone female police rank was dropped off at the office by McKoy who reportedly did not make an official report at the station prior to the rank’s arrival at the RDC office.
He was expected to make an official report at the police station later yesterday afternoon.
Meantime, Philadelphia remained within the confines of the regional office during which time PNCR-1G MP Aubrey Norton arrived on the scene. He and council members advised Philadelphia to lodge a report of physical assault against McKoy and soon after, in the company of members of the council, Philadelphia was escorted to the nearby Beterverwagting Police station where she made a report of assault by McKoy. Ranks there released her on station bail in relation to McKoy’s assault allegation.
At a press briefing held at the PPP/C Freedom House headquarters on Monday, McKoy flanked by PPP/C members of the RDC council stated that he was going to take the issue of his suspension to the courts. MP Neil Kumar supported McKoy’s plans and according to him the ruling party is prepared to work with the opposition, once “Corlette’s attitude” towards the council changed. McKoy, when questioned in what capacity he was going to take the issue to the courts, said that, “the media will know”. Kumar said that the standing orders of the council provides for the suspension of a member “for the rest of the meeting” and not for a 90-day period.
According to Corlette, if the matter engages the attention of the courts, it will not be one against him, but rather the entire council. He said that in legal terms, he cannot be sued by McKoy, but rather the council.
McKoy and Corlette have clashed over the years and in recent times relations between PPP/C and PNCR-1G council members have deteriorated.
Corlette reiterated his call for the principals of the two main parties, the PNCR-1G and the PPP/C to examine the agreement put in place following the 2006 General Elections concerning the make-up of the RDC council.