Foreign Affairs Minister Rufus Bouquet dismisses claims that he breached security protocol at Hewannora Intl.
External Affairs Minister Rufus Bousquet has dismissed claims that he had been detained at the Hewannora International Airport for failing to comply with security requirements.
Minister Bousquet is calling on St. Lucians to analyse more carefully the circumstances surrounding this recent incident.
He says "The reality is people need to ask themselves two questions. One, why have I been travelling all along and the same procedures that are in place now were in place then and I have never had any problems with any individual or any incident. Two, why was I allowed on a plane if I did not undergo the necessary security procedures and having done so I was asked to get off the plane and go back to the terminal to be screened. All of that being said is wrong. I have never at any point refused to be screened. However I have always indicated to persons that certain courtesies should be extended to individuals who maintain certain positions in the government when traveling on government business."
Minister Bousquet suggests that certain unnamed airline official have deliberately set out to embarrass him.
He promises to set straight what he calls the misinformation and speculation surrounding this incident.