No charges for Minister, driver, guards – DPP

Parking lot fracas

In regard to the recent fiasco involving Junior Natural Resources Minister Simona Broomes, her driver and two security guards at a popular establishment earlier in the month, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Friday said no charges will be instituted.
The DPP returned the file to the Police on Friday with a recommendation that no charges be laid against the parties involved. The Police, in a release, said that after reviewing the footage and statements taken, the DPP made her decision.
“Please be informed that the file was completed and sent for legal advice, which was obtained to the effect that based on all the statements and video footage, no charges are advised,” the statement said.
It was initially reported on July 9 that two security officers attached to the Massy Store at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) were in hot water after one of them had allegedly pointed a shotgun at the Minister.
Reports indicate that the Minister’s driver had stopped at the entrance of the store to access the New Thriving Restaurant which is housed in the upper flat of the building. While there, two security guards approached them, and the confrontation ensued.
However, CCTV footage made public has shown a scenario very different from that reported by the minister. In the footage made public, the minister’s driver is seen turning her vehicle into the parking lot where the incident occurred, and stopping a little distance from the Massy supermarket. He exited the vehicle and removed a ‘no parking’ sign. One of the security guards noticed his actions and ventured to the vehicle, replacing the sign which was removed. The minister’s driver exited the vehicle once more, and there followed a heated exchange between him and the security.
Minister Broomes then exited the vehicle and pushed two of the ‘no parking signs’ to the ground as she confronted the security.
The Minister had reported to the Police a matter contrary to what had actually occurred, and two security officers were arrested and detained for some 16 hours following the incident. They were later released on their own recognisance.
Following the incident, Broomes refused to issue an apology, and when questioned by media operatives about the incident, stated, “I don’t know what you are talking about”.
Her colleague, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, subsequently met with the guards and offered an apology.