In light of 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) has returned the file to the police with no recommendations for charges to be instituted against the parties involved.
The police in a release stated that after reviewing the footage and statements taken, the DPP made her decision.
It was reported that on July 9, two security officers attached to the Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) business were arrested after they were accused of pointing a gun at the Minister during a confrontation.
On the day in question, Minister’s driver stopped at the entrance of the store to access a fast food outlet but was approached by the guards who relentlessly informed him that he cannot park at the restricted area. This resulted in a heated confrontation among the parties after which the Minister accused the guards of pointing a gun at her.
However, CCTV footage told a different story from that which was reported by the Minister. The Minister’s driver was seen in the video turning into the parking lot where the incident occurred and stopped a little distance from the Supermarket.
He exited the vehicle which carried the Minister and removed a no parking sign. One of the security guard which noticed his actions and who was armed ventured to the vehicle replacing the sign which was removed.
The Minster’s driver exited his vehicle once more and thus resulted in a heated exchange between him and the security. The minster subsequently exited the vehicle and pushed two of the no parking signs to the ground and confronted the security.
However, she reported the matter contrary to what had actually occurred and two security officers were arrested and later released on their own recognisance.
Following the incident, Broomes refused to issue an apology and when questioned by media operatives of the incident stated “I don’t know what you are talking about”. Nevertheless, her colleague Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence issued an apology to the guards who were locked up for some 16 hours.
