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- Prime Minister Philip J Pierre to decide if Richard Frederick will continue as a cabinet minister, following vacation leave August 27.
- “At any point where any information in regard to the allegation surfaces, because the allegation is one of an indictable nature. That means whether it’s 10 or 20 years from now or 50 years from now, the RSLPF – will still be able to investigate that. But as we stand now – the matter has not been sustained at all,” says Police Commissioner Garde.
By Caribbean News Global 
CASTRIES, St Lucia – At the press conference of the Royal Police Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), August 19, 2026, Commissioner of Police Verne Garde said, in reference to the Richard Frederick matter, that, “An allegation was made. We looked into the particular allegation, and the allegation was ‘not sustained.’’
Commissioner Garde is not a judge in a court of law to rule in the understanding of “Sustained” vs. “Overruled.”
To be clear, in a substantive report or investigation, ‘not sustained’ means an investigator(s) looked at the facts and determined that there was not enough proof to say for sure if the rule of law was broken or not broken. In addition to that, the allegation is neither proven nor disproven. It also means the investigator cannot prove the accused person is innocent. The word inconclusive can also be attributed. The next step is usually the end of official review, and no action is taken.
A legal investigator noted:
“Matters that ascended to the arrest of minister Frederick on July 2 and the subsequent investigation, including comments by Commissioner Garde, on August 19, 2026, are relevant for discussion in many aspects of law, communication and regulation.”
According to Commissioner Garde:
“A senior government official, in the person of Richard Frederick, was arrested on that particular day [July 2],” Garde continued. “I did give instructions for the matter to be continually investigated so that we could get all the facts in the matter.
“An allegation was made. We looked into the particular allegation, and the allegation was ‘not sustained.’’
A reporter queried: Are you in a position to tell us what the allegation is and what the recommendations by the investigating officer are?
“I am not in a position to say what the allegation is,” said Commissioner Garde, citing the constitution and the Criminal Code of Saint Lucia […]. Besides, the commissioner stated: “Based on all of the investigations which we did, which is quite voluminous, we were not able to sustain the allegation.”
“At any point where any information in regard to the allegation surfaces, because the allegation is one of an indictable nature. That means whether it’s 10 or 20 years from now or 50 years from now, the RSLPF – will still be able to investigate that. But as we stand now – the matter has not been sustained at all,” says Commissioner Garde.
Privilege and immunity
Members of cabinet and parliament are subject to criminal law, except in respect of words spoken or acts done in the context of a parliamentary proceeding.
No one is above the law!
Parliamentary privilege protects members of parliament only during their official duties. Thus, in the exploits of special privileges and immunity for members, the intention is to give members certain exemptions from the law to properly execute their responsibilities. Consequently, if members are charged with infringements (of the law), they must abide by due process of law.
The political
In a parliamentary democracy, a minister can be stripped of a ministerial portfolio immediately upon being charged and/or under serious police investigation. Cabinet ministers globally have resigned and/or been fired on suspicion of sexual misconduct or corruption allegations in public office.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre can fire or transfer any ministers at any time of his choosing and under any circumstances. He now has to decide whether minister Frederick will continue as a cabinet minister. He has the absolute authority to choose members of his cabinet.
Speaking at his annual general meeting of the Castries East SLP Constituency Group, August 16, 2026, Prime Minister Pierre, stated:
“In the cabinet, the prime minister makes decisions as to who sits there. In the party, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) makes decisions as to who is there.” Prime Minister Pierre also reiterated that he “will not condone any wrongdoing,” affirming:
“Any minister who is proven to be involved in corruption, I will fire them – and pay for it politically,” Prime Minister Pierre continued. “Because I prefer to leave a government intact, a government with integrity, a government that sees about the people of this country, than be prime minister of this country.”
Under the microscope?
Subject to the prime minister’s decision to stay the course, cabinet and parliament may remain as is and/or with modifications.
If minister Frederick is not reinstated on August 28 as a cabinet minister, it is his prerogative to decide on his resignation as a member of parliament. This would trigger a by-election. In the interim, his status as an independent, or dependent Labour (SLP) backbencher in parliament, makes for a thought-provoking dialogue.
On July 2, 2026, Richard Frederick was detained by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF), and subsequently released pending active investigation.
On July 2, 2026, the government of Saint Lucia was notified that Frederick, “had been detained for questioning as part of an ongoing matter and subsequently released. As this remains an active process, we will not comment on issues that may prejudice or interfere with any lawful process,” the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), said.
On July 24, OPM announced that minister Fredereick “has proceeded on annual vacation leave until 27 August 2026.”
Following Frederick’s alleged entanglement with the RSLPF, there has been a flurry of allegations and public advocacy Re: Allegations regarding misuse of funds, Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).
St Lucia – Taiwan funds referenced in letters regarding SSDF cheque scandal, police investigation
Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) produced an audited statement 2017/18 financial year, completed in March 2023 by the Philip J. Pierre administration.
Caribbean News Global (CNG) article July 27, 2026, referenced:
“Will there be a backbencher in parliament with no government office, cabinet position, or opposition leadership role?
“What will a parliament transformation feel like: 15 – 1 – 1?
“The die is cast! A “pound of flesh” is sizzling! No word on the preferred juiciness levels of well done, medium or rare! The sound of Donald Trump can be picked up, but preferably shunned – You’re Fired!”
August 16, 2026 – SSDF will continue Prime Minister Pierre accentuated:
“No man will hold me to ransom,” he added: “No man will put this country in any position because I want to be prime minister. No, never!”
SLP loyal supporters were jubilant at their member of parliament and prime minister Pierre’s emphatic declaration:
“ The SSDF will continue – and we will do what we have to do to ensure that the SSDF continues.”
August 19, 2026, Commissioner Garde says allegation against minister Richard Frederick, ‘not sustained.’
