During a June 11th press conference, Chastanet, UWP PRO Lenard Montoute and Second Deputy Leader, Dominic Fedee, lashed out at a reporter who asked whether or not Chastanet would retract the statements.

Prior to being allowed to ask his question at the press conference, UWP Second Deputy Leader, Dominic Fedee described the reporter as an “espionage agent”.

“Who is the owner of your media house? How can you be a custodian of democracy and you haven’t told us who the owner of your media house is,” Fedee said.

After being asked whether or not his statements would be retracted, UWP Leader Allen Chastanet had this to say:

“You came here fishing for a story... What is it specifically that I say in my statement that you have taken offense to?”

For five minutes, the three UWP officials berated the singular reporter.

On Monday, June 10th, Crime Prevention Minister Jeremiah Norbert called on society leaders to be more mindful of the statements they make, describing Chastanet’s “war” declaration as inappropriate.

“For him to declare war, at a time when we have so much happening especially as it relates to gun violence. For the Leader of the Opposition to make such a reckless statement to declare war, to send a warning to civil servants, nobody should endorse a statement like that,” he said.

The Crime Prevention Minister says leaders should set better examples for youth in Saint Lucia by their words and actions.

“If that’s what we’re going to do when we find ourselves in Opposition, then it’s really a cause for concern. When leaders behave in that way, can you really question why the younger generation finds themselves in the position that they find themselves in? The onus is on us as leaders to set the example.”

Trade unionists have also taken umbrage with Chastanet’s inclusion of civil servants in this war declaration.