Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony.
Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony has dismissed a British Foreign Office request for him to waive the death penalty in the case of murdered hotelier, Oliver Gobat, the Times of London has reported.
The prime minister told the British newspaper that he does not agree with the proposal made by the British Government and deems it “improper.”
Dr. Anthony was quoted by the newspaper saying that Whitehall’s stipulation to send a squad only if St Lucia guarantees that it will not see capital punishment for the killers is illogical.
In explaining the reason for his statement, the prime minister said no government can get into the business of bargaining as to the outcome of a criminal case.
“The British Government sometimes forgets that we have a sharper, cleaner idea of the separation of powers than they do in the UK and we must abide by the powers bequeathed to us,” Dr. Anthony said.
“Their preoccupation with hanging is very misplaced. Their own Privy Council makes sure that the death penalty never gets carried out,” Anthony also told the Times of London.
While he declared his position on the matter, Dr. Anthony said he still supports the request made by Oliver Gobat’s parents for British officers to support with the investigation.
He however admitted that this particular crime was committed with “considerable sophistication.”
A British parliamentarian recently called on the United Kingdom (U.K) government to assist with the investigations into the murder of Oliver Gobat.
The Conservative Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton, Dominic Raab, made the request at a recent sitting of the British parliament.
The British Foreign Minister James Duddridge said he is awaiting a response from the St. Lucian government, on whether they will agree not to apply the death penalty.
The UK cannot examine cases where a suspect could face the death penalty. Oliver’s parents, Helen and Theo Gobat have been pushing for foreign assistance.
The family has already employed a forensic team from the UK to assist with the investigation. This was made possible through a fund created by friends of Oliver.
The reward offered for information on his murder was recently doubled. The family is now offering a £120,000 or EC$508,000 reward.