Nancy Charles, the mobilisation officer for the United Workers Party (UWP), has moved to set the record straight following a wave of rumours last week suggesting that she had been arrested and charged in connection with a 2011 financial report on town and village councils.
Speaking publicly on the matter, Charles dismissed the claims as “baseless political propaganda” and clarified the true nature of her interaction with the authorities.
“Contrary to what was being said last week that I was arrested, I was charged, was in jail and everything else, I know that this is what a lot of Labour Party supporters… well, let me not say a lot because I do have to say when the story came out, I got a lot of calls surprisingly from Labour Party people and some of my friends within the Labour Party who called to find out what was going on,” Charles explained.
“They were very upset on the news that they had caught and that I was arrested and charged, etc.”
Charles said she had indeed been contacted by officials, but only for an interview concerning her role over a decade ago as chair of the Vieux Fort North Town and Village Council.
“They wanted to interview me and ask me certain questions with a matter dating back to 2011,” she said. “So in 2011, Saint Lucians would know I was the chairman of the Vieux Fort North Town and Village Council. And in that same year, I ran as a candidate for the United Workers Party in the 2011 general election.”
The UWP official emphasized that no allegations of theft or misuse of funds were raised during the discussion.
“I was not asked any question with reference to money, stealing money, taking money, etc. and so forth,” she stated. “So again, all these are the propaganda of the Labour Party to try and tie your reputation.”
Charles went further to accuse the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) of engaging in what she described as targeted political victimisation.
“I think it’s also very suspect. It reeks of victimisation. It smells of victimisation,” she said. “And it is the habit of the Saint Lucia Labour Party in trying to quiet people within the United Workers Party.”
Her comments come as the Special Prosecutor’s Office continues its review of the 2011 report on town and village council finances, which has prompted inquiries involving several former council officials and political figures. Charles, however, maintains that the rumours surrounding her situation were exaggerated for political gain.
For now, she insists her conscience is clear and her focus remains on her political duties. “There is nothing to hide,” she concluded, “and I will continue to serve and speak up when it is necessary.”