Providenciales, TCI June 17, 2017 — Former Education Minister Josephine Connolly claims the reason offered by Premier Sharlene Robinson for her dismissal is a smokescreen.
Connolly was fired from her Cabinet post yesterday. The Premier has promised to speak with the media and public about the matter on Monday, but said in a statement that there have been “scathing attacks” against the her and the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) in recent weeks. Robinson also said that a family matter was being exploited for “personal and political gain.”
In response, Connolly has denied the allegations. “The charges laid by the Premier against me are without any foundation or credence. I am of the firm view that the reasons given by the Premier were a smokescreen to hide the real reason,” she said. Connolly added that the allegations were false and that she was never allowed to formally defend herself.
It is believed that the upset within the PDM began during disagreement on the treatment abroad policy of the National Health Insurance Plan, when a relative of Connolly needed off island emergency health care.
Connolly pledged to remain loyal to the people of TCI as a member of the House of Assembly, however. “I was born in these Islands and I decided to enter into politics late in life because I felt I had something to offer, something to contribute, to my country and to my people. It was a dream come true to be your representative and your Minister and I cannot lie that I am bitterly disappointed that the opportunity to help my people has been taken away from me.”
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