Mark Doyle

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has announced that the Annual Christmas Road Cleaning Programme will commence on Monday, December 8, following approval by Cabinet through the Hon. Nigel Stephenson, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Physical Planning.Managed by the Roads Buildings and General Services Authority (BRAGSA), the programme is expected to cost EC$3 million, run for six days, and employ over 7,000 Vincentians across the country. The initiative will conclude on Monday, December 15.This year’s programme is shorter than the usual eight days due to the delayed start. The revised timeline ensures that all workers can be paid…

Castries, Saint Lucia — Today Saint Lucia warmly welcomed the former Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who arrived on island to witness the historic swearing-in of Honourable Philip J. Pierre as Prime Minister at 3:30 PM. The distinguished regional leader’s presence underscores the deep friendship, mutual respect, and enduring partnership shared among Caribbean nations. His visit highlights the importance of stability, cooperation, and democratic tradition across the region. Upon landing in Saint Lucia, the former Vincentian leader expressed admiration for the peaceful transition of leadership and extended congratulations to Honourable Pierre. He emphasized that regional unity remains…

As Saint Vincent and the Grenadines enters a new political chapter with the New Democratic Party (NDP) now in government, attention has quietly shifted to the rebuilding project facing the Unity Labour Party (ULP). After more than two decades in power, the ULP now occupies unfamiliar territory: the Opposition benches. And with that change comes a fundamental question for Labour’s next generation: Who will help reshape the party’s identity from opposition, and who will carry its voice into the Senate? Among the emerging names in political conversation, one stands out — not for longevity, but for narrative power: Vakeesha John,…

Retired police officer Gideon Nathan, a 20-year veteran of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), is accusing his former employer of withholding the retirement payout he expected to receive when he left the job on medical grounds. Nathan recently contacted CLIPLET NEWS, saying he feels “unfairly” and “disrespectfully” treated by the system he served for two decades, and that his pleas for a proper audience with the authorities continue to go unanswered. His story reflects not only a personal financial crisis, but also raises questions about how injured officers are treated when their years of service…

A remarkable and increasingly public movement is unfolding across St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). On social media, in community circles, and in conversations across the islands, one name has risen to the forefront of national discussion: Brenton Smith. Once a long-serving police officer and former head of the Police Welfare Association, Smith has unexpectedly become the figure many Vincentians are calling to lead the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) as its next Commissioner. This wave of support did not originate from political halls or official committees. It began, instead, among ordinary citizens — those who…

On the afternoon of April 13, 2021, as La Soufrière’s ash darkened the sky, 60-year-old businessman and block-maker Cornelius John sat on the unfinished porch of his Diamond Estate home. What happened next has been retold many times in interviews, courtrooms and political platforms — but for John, the core of the story remains simple: he was shot in his own yard, and four years later he believes justice has never truly come. The “Cornelius John matter”, as it is now known across St Vincent and the Grenadines, has become more than a single criminal case. It is a test…

More than seven years after the controversial arrest and psychiatric detention of Yugge Farrell, many Vincentians are still questioning whether the state’s response in 2018 was appropriate, proportionate, and free from political influence. As a new administration takes office in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, renewed public interest has emerged in reexamining the case and the processes that guided it. A Case That Captured National Attention In January 2018, Farrell, then 22 years old, was charged with using “abusive language” toward attorney Karen Duncan-Gonsalves, who was at the time serving in the Attorney General’s Chambers. The case drew immediate attention…

Daniel Cummings was formally sworn in today as the nation’s new Minister of Health, Wellness, and Energy, taking on a wide-reaching portfolio at a time of major policy transformation and public expectation. The ceremony took place at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, where the new Cabinet was sworn in before an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, community leaders, and government officials. The Governor General presided over the event, administering the oath as Cummings pledged to advance national health standards, promote wellness initiatives, and modernize the country’s energy framework. Cummings, a long-time advocate for community health and sustainable development, emphasized the urgency…

St. Clair Leakcocok was officially sworn in today as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security and Immigration during a special outdoor ceremony held at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. The event formed part of a cabinet-swearing ceremony attended by hundreds of residents, government officials, and distinguished guests. The Governor General presided over the proceedings, administering the oath of office as Leakcocok pledged to uphold the Constitution and serve the nation with integrity. Applause rippled through the crowd as he signed the official documents and received his instruments of appointment.

The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is facing one of its most significant public credibility challenges in recent years, as allegations of false testimony against Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey ignite widespread calls for his resignation and a comprehensive restructuring of the force. The accusations stem from activist Adriana King, who claims Bailey provided factually incorrect and deliberately misleading statements in her long-running criminal case related to the August 5, 2021 protest outside Parliament. King alleges that Bailey’s sworn testimony misrepresented her location, the timeline of events, and even a conversation he attributed to…