Representatives of the National Democratic Congress have suggested that the government of Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell is behind an operation in which a police officer was caught Tuesday night clandestinely filming and recording a meeting in St. George’s of top officials of the NDC.
Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas, who is head of the NDC, says the security forces should not be used to “undermine the democratic process” in the country.
“Whoever is behind this, we ought to really get to the bottom of this to ensure that we could enjoy a free and democratic state in Grenada,” said Thomas. “We have a right to assembly and to discuss matters of national importance as an interest group, particularly a political party.”
NDC officials were meeting at the party’s Lucas Street office when they noticed a red flash emanating from an abandoned building adjacent to the office.
A few NDC members moved swiftly to investigate and discovered two men in plain clothes attempting to flee the scene. One was tackled and caught. The other escaped.
The man who was caught gave his name as Kelon Noel and said he was a member of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF). His identification, which was handed over, confirmed his name and his status as an RGPF officer.
Under interrogation, 26-year-old Noel said his assignment was at the order of a senior RGPF officer he identified as Neil McQueen.
“We think this is a sad day for Grenada,” Thomas said. “Whoever sent him is not acting in the best interest of our country and in the best interest of the democratic tradition.”
The Opposition Leader linked the incident to other events, such as the alleged tapping of his telephone that he reported to the police last year. He also listed the attempt to deport Jamaican journalist Tenesha Thomas, and Economic Development Minister Anthony Boatswain’s comment that the people of the Caribbean were electing “undesirable elements” to government.
“This shows desperation in the society,” said Thomas. “We need to step up on security because there seems to be desperate people in our country.”
NDC Senator Arley Gill said an official complaint of Tuesday’s action by undercover officer Noel will be lodged with the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of National Security.
“This is no coincidence,” Gill said. “The police officer was certainly not on a frolic of his own. This is a deliberate and calculated effort to invade on the privacy of the National Democratic Congress.”
Gill said it appears that it was not the first act of spying on the NDC and implied government complicity.
“This government is prepared to do anything to discredit us and we are aware of that,” Gill said.
After several phone calls by NDC officials, Inspector Raymond “Beast” Matthews arrived at the scene of Tuesday’s incident. Noel left in the company of Matthews.
