ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada – Prime Minister Tillman Thomas this morning confirmed that Joseph Gilbert has been fired as minister of environment in his Government.Speaking to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) the Prime Minister said he has advised Governor General Sir Carlisle Glean to revoke Gilbert’s appointment.Gilbert, the former works minister, has been accused of writing to an American investor promising a casino gambling license.“His action of giving this letter is clearly a breach of his cabinet responsibilities,” Thomas said.Thomas said Gilbert’s Ministry of Environment Export Trade and International Development will now be under his Ministry for the time being.The Grenadian leader is scheduled to deliver a national address toight to explain the circumstance of Gilbert’s sacking.Government sources reported that the Prime Minister attempted to fire Gilbert during Wednesday’s emergency cabinet meeting but backed away from the decision after cabinet members objected.“In this respect the Prime Minister, having certain troubling information before him pertaining to what appears to be a serious breach of Cabinet principles, decided that he would proceed by way of bringing the matter to the knowledge of the Minister concerned and intimating to him the action he is intending to take,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.“The Prime Minister is satisfied that it was appropriate for him to hear the views of the members of Cabinet and that it was very important, out of an abundance of caution, to obtain the additional information before confirming his course of action.”
Thomas is personally opposed to casino gambling and his administration has rejected proposals from developers to start such projects on the island. (CMC)
