Author: M. Doyle

The National Council of St Vincent and the Grenadines Associations UK has officially welcomed His Excellency J.M. Brereton Horne as the country’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, marking the occasion with a diplomatic reception in London on March 7, 2026. The reception, held at the High Commission, also honoured The Honourable Dwight Fitz-Gerald Bramble and brought together members of the Vincentian diaspora, community leaders, and distinguished guests in a strong show of unity and national pride. High Commissioner Horne steps into the role with a distinguished legal career spanning more than 25 years as a barrister in England and…

A new locally built financial technology platform, VinPay, has officially launched, marking a major step forward in how Vincentians manage payments, services, and everyday transactions. Developed by Vincentian computer programmers Cody Laidlow and Mark Doyle, VinPay was created with a clear mission: to modernize payments in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by delivering a fast, secure, and all-in-one digital wallet experience tailored to the needs of the local population. In a region where many still rely on in-person transactions and fragmented payment systems, VinPay introduces a unified platform that allows users to seamlessly handle multiple financial activities from a single…

Prime Minister Godwin Friday appeared relaxed and unbothered as he exited the High Court in Kingstown on Thursday following a case management hearing related to election petitions filed by the opposition. When approached by reporters outside the courthouse, the prime minister brushed aside the seriousness of the legal proceedings with a brief comment. “It’s a beautiful day,” Friday said, pointing toward the clear skies overhead before directing the media to the government’s lead attorney for further comment. The legal challenge has been brought by the opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP), which is contesting the eligibility of Friday and Minister of…

A Vincentian man who entered the United Kingdom illegally in 2024 and later became involved in a Class-A drug trafficking operation has pleaded with a court not to deport him, saying he fears returning to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Antonio Ferdinand, 26, was sentenced to 43 months in prison after admitting two counts of possessing Class-A drugs with intent to supply. However, his lawyer told Reading Crown Court that deportation after his sentence could separate him from his 12-month-old British-born child, causing what he described as severe emotional distress. The court heard that Ferdinand was arrested in the Berkshire…

Mia Mottley leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), has been re-elected as Prime Minister after today’s general election, according to preliminary results released this evening. Early counts indicate that the Barbados Labour Party has surpassed the required threshold to form the next government, winning more than 15 of the island’s 30 parliamentary seats. While official totals are still being finalized, the BLP’s lead places the party firmly on track for another term in office. Prime Minister Mottley, who first assumed office in 2018, is expected to address the nation once final results are confirmed by the electoral authorities. Party…

Leader of the Opposition in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, has claimed that the United States has advised the new administration against introducing a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme and switching diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China. Gonsalves made the statement on Tuesday during his contribution to the 2026 Budget Debate in Parliament. According to the Opposition Leader, U.S. officials informed senior members of the government that while foreign and economic policy decisions remain a sovereign matter, Washington would prefer that St Vincent and the Grenadines avoid certain actions. He said the advice was delivered to the “highest…

The government’s commitment to increasing financial support for vulnerable citizens to help them cope with the rising cost of living is moving forward as promised, according to North Leeward MP Kishore Shallow. Speaking last week, Shallow said the administration is taking steps to fulfill its campaign pledge to raise public assistance payments, describing the move as necessary in light of ongoing economic pressures. He announced that the current assistance, which stands at approximately $350 to $360, will be increased to $500. “Times are hard,” Shallow said, noting that the value of $350 today is not the same as it was…

Opposition Leader Ralph Gonsalves has reiterated that no Prime Minister or government minister has the legal authority to hire, fire, or arbitrarily remove public officers, using the case of Grace Walters as a clear example of how constitutional safeguards protect public servants. Speaking last week, Gonsalves emphasized that electoral victory does not give any political party unchecked power over the public service. “Winning an election does not mean unrestrained, unshackled, unbounded executive authority,” he said, adding that all power is limited by the Constitution, laws, and regulations. He stressed that the responsibility for appointing, transferring, disciplining, or removing public officers…

Police are currently investigating a report of an unresponsive man in the Diamond/Brighton area who appears to have suffered a gunshot wound. The incident occurred just one night after the country recorded its fourth homicide for the year. On Friday night, Mesopotamia resident Kevin Richards, also known as “Masicka,” was shot and killed, becoming the third man to lose his life to violence within three weeks. Authorities have not yet released further details, and investigations remain ongoing. This is a developing story. Cliplet News will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

What was expected to be a routine end to court proceedings on Friday, January 30, 2026, took an unusual turn when a convicted man managed to leave the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court without being seen by members of the media who had been waiting outside for hours. Thirty-seven-year-old Keon Peters, who earlier pleaded guilty to wounding 35-year-old sports administrator Elron Lewis of Troumaca, reportedly exited the court building undetected, raising questions about security and post-hearing procedures at the facility. Peters appeared before the court and admitted to the offence during his hearing. He was subsequently ordered to pay $5,000 in compensation…