CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Jul 24, CMC – The St. Lucia government Friday said that the embattled Housing, Local Government and Urban Renewal Minister, Richard Frederick, who is the subject of a police investigation, has proceeded on annual vacation leave until August 27.
It said that during Frederick’s absence, the Minister for Infrastructure, Ports Services and Energy, Shawn Edwards has been assigned responsibility for the portfolios of Housing and Urban Renewal, while Senior Minister Stephenson King has been assigned responsibility for Local Government.
“This temporary assignment is in keeping with the Government’s established practice of ensuring continuity in the administration of ministerial responsibilities whenever ministers proceed on annual vacation leave,” the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said, thanking the public “for its understanding” while remaining “committed to the uninterrupted delivery of services throughout this period”.
Earlier this month, the Phillip J Pierre government, which enjoys a 16-1 majority in the Parliament, reaffirmed its “respect for the independence” of the police and the “rule of law” as it acknowledged that it had been notified that Frederick, had been detained for questioning.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all lawful processes proceed without interference and in accordance with the Constitution and the Laws of St. Lucia,” the government said then.
Frederick, who appeared on his television programme the night after he was questioned by police, said that he “has nothing to fear”.
The 60 year-old attorney and former police officer, told viewers that while he would not divulge the reasons behind the police investigation, “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, okay.
“I don’t cross those boundaries. I have five daughters, five,” he said, confirming that the police were investigating “certain allegations” against him.
CMC/ag/ir/2026