Former Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has formally raised a series of questions in Parliament regarding the involvement of the son of Prime Minister Godwin Friday in the operations of the new administration.
The questions, submitted for oral response on Wednesday, come amid public discussion following the Prime Minister’s statement that his son serves only as an assistant or aide and does not receive a salary from the state.
While acknowledging that clarification, Gonsalves argued that the explanation does not fully address wider issues of governance, transparency, and accountability within public administration.
Among the matters raised, Gonsalves is seeking detailed clarification on the specific role and responsibilities performed by the Prime Minister’s son, as well as the legal or administrative authority under which he was appointed or engaged.
The former Prime Minister also questioned whether the son has had access to official or confidential government documents, and if so, whether he has taken the required oath of secrecy, as is customary for individuals involved in sensitive state matters.
Additionally, Gonsalves has requested information on the meetings attended by the Prime Minister’s son, including the number of formal or informal engagements, the individuals present, the topics discussed, and whether these interactions are being formally documented or logged.
Despite assurances that the son does not receive a government salary, the parliamentary questions extend to whether he benefits from stipends, allowances, travel support, or other in-kind benefits funded by public resources.
Gonsalves further pressed the administration to disclose whether any external individuals or organisations—outside of central government—are providing financial support or other forms of assistance connected to the son’s role.
In commenting on the matter, Gonsalves criticised sections of the local media for what he described as insufficient scrutiny, stating that personal trust alone cannot replace the institutional safeguards required for transparency in public life.
The Prime Minister is expected to respond to the questions when they are taken in Parliament.
