In a surprising new development after Minister Simona Broomes’s confrontation with New Thriving security guards, Health Minister Volda Lawrence on Tuesday apologised to one of the guards.
Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and the security guard (Photo: Minister Volda Lawrence’s Facebook page)
The guards had been detained by Police after the confrontation with Minister Broomes and her driver in the parking lot Sunday night.
In her brief statement on her Facebook page, Minister Lawrence said: “Tonight [Tuesday night] I met young Josh Rambarran, a security guard at New Thriving Restaurant Providence, who told me a story about what happened to him on Sunday last. According to him, he was wrongfully arrested and detained for 16 hours. From the bottom of my heart, I apologised to him and said I was sorry. Humility and wisdom are character traits we must always ask of our Creator.”
Reports are the Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry’s driver stopped at the entrance of the Massy store to access the New Thriving Restaurant, which is housed in the upper flat of the building.
“Apparently, the Minister’s driver parked her vehicle on a tarmac area which is not to be used by customers,” a Police source explained.
However, the Minister insisted that the driver drove into the tarmac area to allow her to exit the vehicle after which he was heading to the parking lot. The guard, according to reports, refused to listen to their explanation. Video footage contradicted this version of events.
Broomes then contacted the Police, who quickly responded and confiscated the weapon that was allegedly used to threaten her. The guards were also taken into custody on Sunday, but were subsequently released on their own recognisance.
