The Minister of Foreign Affairs says neither he nor anyone in his Ministry revoked the diplomatic passport of former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas.
In fact, Dr. Douglas still has possession of said passport confirms Hon. Mark Brantley.
Now an Opposition MP since his Labour party lost the February 16 general election, Dr. Douglas claimed that Hon. Brantley had revoked the diplomatic passports of himself and former ministers in his Cabinet.
Brantley spoke to The Observer and said the claim was “categorically false”.
“There has been absolutely no communication or policy decision or effort made, whether by me or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to revoke any passport whatsoever,” he said.
Former ministers and other government workers who were issued such travel documents in their official capacities under the previous administration have been asked to tender their diplomatic passports or have them revoked, said Brantley.
He went on to explain that it is customary that an outgoing administration and its officials would give up such passports for cancellation since they were issued to them in a particular capacity which they no longer hold.
“For instance the previous Prime Minister would have had a diplomatic passport issued to him in his capacity as Prime Minister. He no longer has that capacity, so it’s customary, I’m advised, that that passport is to be tendered for cancellation and if anything, a new passport be issued to him in the new capacity of Leader of Opposition.”
Brantley said Dr. Douglas has been asked to surrender the travel document so that the “normal procedure can be engaged in”.
“There has been no change in policy; it is simply a matter that occurs when a government changes, that a passport given to enjoy as prime minister can no longer attract those privileges since the gentleman is no longer the Prime Minister of this country.”