Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has been assigned a police officer as a driver but will not receive a formal security detail, according to Minister of National Security and Deputy Prime Minister Major St Clair Leacock.
The decision follows comments made by Leacock during a radio appearance last Monday, December 8, 2025, when he indicated that the matter of security arrangements for the Opposition Leader would be reviewed and resolved by the end of the week.
Speaking on BOOM 106.9 FM’s morning programme hosted by Dwight “Bing” Joseph, Leacock said the review had been completed and that Dr. Gonsalves would receive only what is provided for under existing guidelines.
“The Opposition Leader will get what he is entitled to—nothing more, nothing less,” Leacock stated.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, those entitlements do not extend to a police security presence at the Opposition Leader’s residence. He explained that while a police officer has been assigned as a driver, there will be no additional armed police detail.
Leacock noted that any further protection would have to be arranged privately and could involve one or two private security personnel, should the Opposition Leader deem it necessary.
“He previously had a detail of as many as six police officers, including an inspector. He is not entitled to that,” Leacock said, stressing that such arrangements go beyond what is предусмотрed under the current framework.
The Minister’s comments appear to close the matter, following several days of public discussion after his initial remarks on the issue earlier this month.
