The situation unfolded when Chastanet made a bold declaration in the House during his presentation: “We have a situation where reports have come out, Mr. Speaker, that the Europeans in one of their critical committees have made the decision to suspend the Schengen visa of Saint Lucia and other OECS countries involved in the CIP.”

Rising on a point of order was Deputy Prime Minister and Castries South MP, Dr Ernest Hilaire, who challenged the legitimacy of Chastanet’s comments. Hialire contended that the Opposition Leader had provided inaccurate information and remained adamant that such a decision was not taken by the European Parliament.

Said Hilaire: “I would hate to have to do this. I want to hear everything you (Chastanet) want to say uninterruptedly. But you have deliberately been deceitful.  There's no committee that met with the European Union to take any decision to suspend any Schengen visa arrangement with any country,  far less with Saint Lucia.”

House Speaker Claudius Francis was careful to note that, typically, Opposition MPs are not required to substantiate claims made. However, according to Speaker Francis:

“Because of the far-reaching nature of that statement,  I would suggest that unless you (Chastanet) can provide some sort of evidence to that effect,  you [should] not proceed along those lines.  Chastanet agreed to furnish the House with the evidence of his claims, and the day’s sitting was suspended for no more than fifteen minutes while the Opposition Leader gathered his facts.

For clarity, the European Union and its subsidiary agencies have been reviewing their immigration requirements and are eyeing mainly: substantial increases in asylum seekers, safety and security risks, and terrorist threats. That is according to the latest EU Parliament press statement, dated June 17, 2025.

Upon his return to the chamber, Chastanet presented a singular news article from an online news source.

Chastanet: “Mr. Speaker, I will simply go to the article, Mr. Speaker,  that I have made reference to, which is done by IMI -”

He was cut short by Dr Hilaire, who demanded that official EU correspondence be presented.

Dr Hilaire: “Mr.  Speaker, I want the Honourable Member to give me the official document, not a press release,  the regulation that was approved by the EU.  I want an official  EU  document. I don't want a press release.  I do not want any story carried in any newspaper. Go to the official EU document,  the regulation as approved,  and cite it.”

In a last-ditch effort to salvage his argument, Chastanet went on:

“Mr. Speaker,  the EU Subcommittee on Justice has approved an Act, which is in their press statement, Mr. Speaker,  which is going to give the  EU now the authority to fast-track the suspension of the visa regimes.”

Speaker Francis then replayed, for the benefit of the House, Chastanet’s earlier comments – that the country’s Schengen visa had been suspended. Francis then doubled down and reiterated the need for Chastanet to provide evidence of his initial claims as is, without paraphrasing or inferring the EU’s intention.

Ultimately, Chastanet redacted: “Fair enough, Mr. Speaker. Let me withdraw that statement, then.”