Premier of Nevis and Minister of Human Resources, the Honourable Mark Brantley, has rejected suggestions that politics was behind the dismissal of Nevis Reformation Party candidate for Nevis 11, Mario Phillip, from his government job.
Speaking at his monthly press conference on Tuesday, Brantley acknowledged that Phillip had not directly claimed political victimisation. However, he said the public discussion surrounding the dismissal was encouraging that conclusion.
“I challenge the media to find one—not two or three—one that has been terminated by this government. In fact, there are many who accuse this government of being unduly soft and accuse this government of allowing certain individuals to behave in a particular way. I am a firm believer in people’s right to express themselves, but I do not take kindly to any suggestion that Mark Brantley, as the Premier of this island, has ever targeted or terminated anyone because of their politics.”
Brantley said a July report covering February to July documented eight unexcused absences, ten sick days, fourteen late arrivals and eleven occasions on which Phillip allegedly left the office without authorization.
According to the Premier, funds were later solicited using letterhead carrying the government’s Gender Affairs logo, including a donation of approximately $4,700 from a company.
“And the officer was informed of the findings, and those findings, in part, made their way into the officer’s letter of termination that set out not only the poor attendance and poor conduct at work, but this other issue, which, in the opinion of those who advised on the matter, amounted to gross misconduct.”
Brantley said the reasons were outlined in Phillip’s three-page termination letter and called for the document to be released publicly.
Freedom FM has not independently reviewed the termination letter, attendance report or investigation findings referenced by the Premier.