Minister for Economic Development Guy Joseph and journalist Miguel Fevrier, clashed outside Parliament building this morning throwing jabs at each other. The incident started when Fevrier asked Joseph whether he had any involvement with a pre-school in Sarrot. (Last month Joseph announced that he would be taking legal action against Fevrier’s employer MBC Television, for a story about the pre-school which amounted to “criminal libel”).
Joseph declined comment, telling the journalist: “Miguel I’ve told you I don’t intend to answer any questions from you, okay.” Asked by HTS reporter Solange Alfred to “clear the air” on the pre-school situation, Joseph said: “I will not answer any questions on this. That’s a matter that is going to be before the courts and the courts will deal with it.”
“There’s nothing before the courts,” Fevrier responded. “You wanted an apology and we said we’re not apologizing. Are you in any way connected to the First Steps pre-school?”
The minister fired back: “Miguel, I have no intention of speaking to any ex-convict about anything, okay. When you can clear your records come and talk to me.”
The two then got into a war of words:
Fevrier: “My records are clear Sir so go ahead, let’s talk. My records are clear Sir you should know that. So can we speak?”
Joseph: “I have told you do not come and put your mic in my face.”
Fevrier: “I’m doing my job Sir as are you.”
Joseph: “When you can clear your conviction record come and talk to me.”
Fevrier: “That’s how you’re speaking to the media Sir? My conviction record is clear. It is clear.”
Joseph: “You’re not the media, you’re an ex-convict in my eyes.”
Fevrier: “So what’s your relationship with the First Steps pre-school Sir?
Joseph: “…Went to prison for stealing, want to come and question me and want to talk about the media? Ya’ll must be joking.”
Fevrier: “That’s because you haven’t been to prison yet for all your crimes. No? Would you say that?”
Joseph: “I have committed crimes? I have committed crimes?”
Fevrier: “Would you say that? I’m asking you. Would you say that Sir? Have you submitted all your stuff for the Integrity Commission as yet that’s been in the gazette? No sir?”
The exchange ended at that point as Joseph made his way to today’s House of Assembly sitting.
