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Investigating People in High Places

The breaking news in the United Kingdom that several police forces are investigating abuse claims against former Prime Minister […]Edward Heath is interesting for several reasons. First and foremost it highlights the role of the traditional media formally known as the Fourth Estate. If there is a legitimate news story the media should be duty…

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Sir Edward Heath
Sir Edward Heath, former Prime Minister of England

The breaking news in the United Kingdom that several police forces are investigating abuse claims against former Prime Minister […]Edward Heath is interesting for several reasons.

First and foremost it highlights the role of the traditional media formally known as the Fourth Estate. If there is a legitimate news story the media should be duty bound to report it with eagerness and without favour. How many Barbadians trust the local traditional media to report on wickedness in high places in Barbados?

Political interference in the selection and appointment of police officers continues to be a concern for Barbadians. Who is the chairman of the Barbados Police Complaints Authority (PCA)? How many cases has the PCA processed in the last three years? Does it have a public outreach program?  In the UK where Little England models many of its governance systems Police and Crime Commissioners are elected with a mandate to ensure the police forces in the United Kingdom run effectively.

Barbadians are reminded of the consequences if we continue to disengage from the system. The health of a democracy is built on participation by the citizenry. The public feud between former Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin and his Deputy Burton Hinds should not be forgotten by Barbadians – It was; and still is, symptomatic of a problem we ignore at our own peril.

Whistleblowers in the Edward Heath affair have reported stories of torture and rape and the amazing revelation of at least two children murdered by the late prime minister Ted Heath who died at 89.  He was unmarried.

Heath was also named in a paedophile dossier compiled by Labour peer Baroness Castle, which included information on Heath offering weekend trips for boys from the island on his yacht.

BU takes careful note the level of transparency and importance being given to the Edward Heath investigation. This is democracy at work. The vibrancy of the process is as important as the outcome.

33 responses to “Investigating People in High Places”

  1. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David

    Of course we in Barbados can dream but with our level of political interference and lodge affiliation only the poor and the unconnected are ever brought before the courts. (I was careful to say brought before the courts and not brought to justice because in this country they don’t mean the same thing).

    I am watching a situation where a male senior member of management at a government institution slapped a young intern on her buttocks. My understanding is that he offered $5,000 to make the matter go away when the little girl took offence. Rather than accept the money, the young lady called her mother, who involved the police.

    The Chairman of the board has not seen it fit to suspend this offender because of party connections. Mind you, junior employees at this institution are suspended for being late or dismissed for missing a minute spec of faeces on a toilet bowl. Political connections got him the job and political connections are keeping him protected.

    David, if the protection goes all the way down to senior managers at government institutions, do you think that we will ever net one the alleged crooks in government?

    I will continue to monitor the situation because this matter is still very much up in the Air.

  2. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    I forgot to say that he is old enough to be the girl’s grandfather.

  3. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    David, as stunning as these revelations are and as ‘impressive’ as they show the investigative power of a system which is freed of interference they also mirror our small island predicament aptly phrased by Caswell as with ” our level of political interference and lodge affiliation only the poor and the unconnected are ever brought before the courts”.

    The British info now in the public domain suggests that there were allegations against Edward Heath several years ago which one police district investigated and then suppressed. So one can wonder that if he were alive and still able to pull some strings, whether this story would yet be on the front pages.

    The point is that powerful people do nasty things all the time and use that power to deflect their crimes or even implicate others.

    Realistically there is no easy solution to the grave injustice.

    Will we ever see a front page story of our own high profile ‘Edward Heath’ type allegations surrounding the death of the Trinidad national and purported gay lover of men at the very top of Barbados’ political and legal ‘fraternities’. Very unlikely because the ‘political interference and lodge affiliation’ are still too powerful even after all these years.

    Maybe Heath’s predilections extended beyond the boundaries of Great Britain and there is evidence in that investigation which highlights Bajan connected improprieties; that would definitely let the cat out the bag bout here.

    A pipe dream of course.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word

    The point that the investigation was suppressed all those years ago should not overshadow the significant point. The system was able to respond.

  5. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    “First and foremost it highlights the role of the traditional media formally known as the Fourth Estate. If there is a legitimate news story the media should be duty bound to report it with eagerness and without favour. How many Barbadians trust the local traditional media to report on wickedness in high places in Barbados?”

    David, you are always mentioning of the role of the “Fourth Estate,” and for good reason. I was listening to “Brass Tacks” a few weeks ago and a caller asked David Ellis does the traditional media not investigate certain issues and expose the results to the public. Instead, he has to read social media, such as Barbados Underground, to get information.

    Ellis responded by suggesting that certain social media are “protected” by anonymity despite the existence of the Computer Misuse Act. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with the traditional media, because lawyers and various individuals listen attentively to the program, in hope of hearing something for which the company could face a law suit. Such scenarios make it very difficult for them to function in this environment.

    Perhaps you may recall, early in the tenure of this administration, the Nation reported a specific news item. As a result, all government advertising, vacancies and public notices were done by the Advocate.

    There was a similar occurrence during the previous BLP administration, whereby the Advocate received preferential treatment, since, at that time, the Nation was perceived as being “anti BLP,” while the Advocate took a pro BLP position.

  6. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    The important lesson here is that cases of abuse of our children must be investigated at all times. It will be very sad if this discussion is reduced to political posturing.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    Unfortunately in Barbados the tentacles of political interference is everywhere. Unlike developed jurisdictions where NGOs and advocacy by the public helps to compensate, in Barbados the country is gripped by the politicians in a headlock. Issues in Barbados cannot be viewed in isolation therefore.

  8. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    This article pertains to “Investigating people in high places” and is not SPECIFIC to child abuse.

    Perhaps it’s easier for you to sit on your “high horse” and talk about “political posturing,” while mentioning “cases of abuse of our children must be investigated at all times.” I think you are being naive (or just plain stupid) if you believe politics is not responsible for the “free pass” given to certain “people in high places.”

    For example, Leroy Parris allegedly stated he deposited a specific sum of money on the Central Bank. No media house investigated the issue.

    The Child Care Board confirmed that female minors are being impregnated by adult males, who are offering the child’s parents money to keep the matter out of court. We have certain closet male and female homosexuals who are preying on young boys and girls, and because of their position, they are given “get out of jail free” cards by the police and media.

    Maybe you can inform us who (or where) are those reporters in Barbados who are brave enough and willing the challenge the status quo.

    That is the reality in Barbados.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    Congratulations to Roy Morris for telling lawyer Satcha Kissoon to kiss his Black posterior in response to what lawyers in Barbados do best, INTIMATE .

  10. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @David,
    Organizations such as the National Organization of Women and the Business and Professional Womens Group are intensifying their efforts to bring abuse to the forefront. The recent highlighting of the deaths and a suicide of one of our very young citizens, has awakened public interest. Like I said, why can’t we guide such a discussion away from political posturing and use the opportunity to pressure the same political class to enact more progressive legislation to fight abuse.
    What is very interesting is that while we hammer the political class, we are constantly promoting it, depending on which party we support, on every opportunity we get ! And therein lies our predicament.
    Has any form of “political interference” stopped the BU from being a very successful blog ?

  11. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    True David, the system was able to respond. And therein lies our local predicament.

    Despite the extensive number and independence of so many ‘fourth estate’ journalists and others looking for any sins of the rich and famous in England it took all these years for this to break publicly.

    It can never be easy when you got a tiger cornered – even with two legs shot out, a few damaged teeth, and one eye gone…in fact then the injured tiger is even more deadly to its antagonist in that small space!

    Dare I say, I hope one day to see a Bajan story of the magnitude of Ed Heath’s. It will probably shake us up more than Kick-Em-Jenny so I’m getting ready!

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    Let us address your legitimate concern which is affected by the bigger issue of political interference and flawed governance practice.

    Social media published the bruised body of jahan King a few weeks ago and was roundly chided by Faith Marshall – Harris et al. Lo and behold a few weeks later Chairman Ken Knight of the Child Care Board authorized the removal of 13 abused children from where they were living. Tell us William why did the DLP appointed Chairman make the call then.

  13. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    You can’t compare certain blogs with traditional media, since, although each source seeks to achieve similar objectives, the variables are significantly different.

    Are we forgetting Omar Watson’s blog? Remember, at the behest of Michael Lashley, he was formally charged, under the Computer Misuse Act, for the offence of Malicious Communication. This related to his publishing on his blog, a story outlining Lashley’s alleged speedy retreat after being “washed in licks.”

    Is this not “political interference?”

  14. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David,
    I am sorry to disappoint you but I am not here to respond to any question as to why “a DLP ” appointed chairman or a BLP appointed chairman does anything. I have long condemned BOTH of these parties to the political graveyard! Suffice it to say that whether the abuse of the victim was highlighted by the traditional media or the social media, I am glad it was highlighted and that action was taken.

  15. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    Wunna forgetting we have an unmarried PM.

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    You may choose to ignore the issue of political interference rooted in a flawed governance system but BU will not. The issue of child abuse or any abuse in Barbados will not be efficiently addressed until the full nelson the politicos has on the system is prised loose.

  17. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    de Ingrunt Word August 5, 2015 at 9:02 AM #

    “Dare I say, I hope one day to see a Bajan story of the magnitude of Ed Heath’s. It will probably shake us up more than Kick-Em-Jenny so I’m getting ready!”

    True, De word.

    De Word, I’m sure you are aware that journalists in the international arena are driven by a passion for the job, their belief in “the public’s right to know,” an in depth knowledge of their rights and, to a lesser extent, achieving incentives or awards (such as the Pulitzer Prize), in recognition of outstanding performance.

    For example, according to a paper published by the American University’s Center for Media & Social Impact: “Journalism — the practice of reporting timely news and information for public consumption — is driven by a mission widely articulated and shared among its practitioners. This collective vision finds its roots in the First Amendment, from which journalists draw their function as societal watchdog. The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics notes that journalists “believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy.” The profession of journalism is defined by its mission.

    Laws and society in the Caribbean are significantly different to laws that exist in those jurisdictions. As such, journalists in Barbados have to function within the limitations as stipulated by the status quo.

  18. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Justice for Jahan hopefully.

    “ACTING COMMISSIONER of Police Tyrone Griffith has confirmed that six-year-old Jahan King died as a result of chest trauma which was ruled unnatural. – See more at: http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/70630/cops-probing-death-jahan#sthash.bqybm16m.dpuf

  19. Green Monkey Avatar
    Green Monkey

    David Icke Blocked by Facebook Over Savile-Heath Picture

    With the most crass and outrageous timing and censorship, Facebook has chosen the very week when David Icke has been proved right about Prime Minister Ted Heath to ban him for posting what reflects the truth about Heath and his relationship with Savile.

    David was the only person who publicly named Prime Minister Ted Heath as a paedophile, Satanist and child killer while he was still alive and has done so constantly since.

    Indeed this very picture and words have been posted in the past on Facebook long before the Heath story broke in the mainstream media this week and it was not removed.

    Now, as what David said 17 years ago about Heath in The Biggest Secret comes to wide public attention, Facebook has removed the picture and blocked him from posting anything for three days.

    Click on link and page down to see the pic that got Facebook’s knickers in a knot.

    http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/david-icke-banned-by-facebook-over-savile-heath-picture-2/

  20. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Hants,

    Delayed justice as usual.

  21. Nostradamus Avatar
    Nostradamus

    Artaxerxes August 5, 2015 at 10:20 AM #

    “Are we forgetting Omar Watson’s blog? Remember, at the behest of Michael Lashley, he was formally charged, under the Computer Misuse Act, for the offence of Malicious”

    What ever happened to that case? Prosecutor not ready to proceed or the usual can’t find the file?

  22. Zoe Avatar
    Zoe

    @de Ingrunt Word, Aug 2, 2015, 7:11 am.

    “Will we ever see a front page story of our own high profile ‘Edward Heath’ type allegations surrounding the death of the Trinidad national and purported gay lover of men at the very top of Barbados’ political and legal ‘fraternities’. Very unlikely because the ‘political interference and lodge affiliation’ are still too powerful even after all these years.”

    Were not the facts surrounding the mysterious disappearance of this Trinidadian socialite, exposed years ago by one AC, under a pseudonym giving much insider info on what transpired in his dubious agenda to blackmail certain High-up people, and thus, disappeared, never to be seen again!?

  23. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    Green Monkey August 5, 2015 at 11:07 AM #
    If no-one believed David Icke that’s not very surprising. The guy is as nutty as a fruit-cake.
    Read his book “The Biggest Secret” to find out just how nutty. In it he reveals “the existence of a reptilian race from another planet and/or dimension covertly controlling humanity.”

  24. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    @Zoe, certainly the story has been in the public domain for years. My query “Will we ever see a front page story of our own high profile ‘Edward Heath’ type allegations” goes to the matter of allegation being exposed in main stream media and properly investigated with sanctions possible by the authorities.

    It’s one thing to write ‘subversive, underground’ books, commentaries or articles with ‘unsubstantiated’ allegations, its absolutely a different matter when official agencies are on the hunt with purpose and intent. That is this Ed Heath comparison.

    So no, unfortunately there was much ‘hearsay’ published no facts.

    FACTS related to a murder generally result in an indictment at least, not so!

    I certainly don’t recall any court case on that matter.

  25. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    LOL @ Dragon
    ‘…..In it he reveals “the existence of a reptilian race from another planet and/or dimension covertly controlling humanity.” …”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    …so how is that nutty boss…?

    Do you think it is any less ‘nutty’ that so many people could be such brass bowls …all by themselves just so..?
    Bushie don’t know about the ‘reptilian’ part, ….but some shiite gotta be controlling the lotta ingrunce bout the damn place….
    …and who (or what) ever um is … Dem currently winning the battle to destroy common sense too… especially in Bim.

  26. Green Monkey Avatar
    Green Monkey

    @SGD

    David Icke nutty as a fruit-cake, or maybe just on the bleeding edge of philosophy, mathematics and physics. LOL

    David Icke: We live in a fake Universe controlled by non-humans? Physicists support what I have been ridiculed for so long for saying3

    They said I was mad when I said we lived in a simulated illusion (as they did when exposing Ted Heath)

    Now mainstream physicists say the same.

  27. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Whatever became of the that proposal by those two British investors, (Andrew Stewart and Stuart Fordham) who, in December last year, met government with a proposal to secure a sovereign bond issue of approximately US$1B?

  28. bookworm Avatar
    bookworm

    Lord Sewel has resigned from the House of Lords after being filmed allegedly taking drugs with prostitutes.

    Footage obtained by The Sun on Sunday appeared to show the peer – who had been deputy speaker of the Lords – snorting powder from a woman’s breasts.

    The peer has apologised for the “pain and embarrassment” caused and said his exit would “limit and help repair” the damage to the reputation of the Lords.

    http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-33685519

  29. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks Bookworm, there is hope for Michael Carrington yet.

  30. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    Artax, you know of course that Gov’t (s) get offers from Investment Houses for those types of debt issues often.

    The fees from that for Messrs Stewart and Fordham would have funded several family vacations at Sandy Lane surely.

    I think it is fair to say that those investment managers went in search of manna in domiciles with a better financial rating considering that after the downgrades etc they would have found it impossible to sell even half of debt issue that size.

    I missed that news back then. That’s was either a whopping vote of confidence in the stability of Barbados and the Stuart government or a whopping vote of financial stupidity.

    Were those monies to fund this exciting green project?

  31. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    LOLLLL, surely David there is hope for Carrington to be filmed having drug fueled fun with prostitutes cause surely there ain’t hope of anything else!

    Although personally I would much prefer to see film of our oppo lady leader in that scenario…drugs need not be included.

    Oh dear, that seems as if I have some mal-intent for the lovely lady. Not in the least. Just a more ‘exciting’ image. Oh lawd!

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word

    Given the power of the media and its influence on shaping public opinion. Given we know said media is manipulated by the political and money class.

    One wonders how many policy positions have been taken because of a misguided ‘informed’ public position.

  33. Colonel Buggy Avatar
    Colonel Buggy

    David August 5, 2015 at 5:31 PM #

    Thanks Bookworm, there is hope for Michael Carrington yet.
    ……………………………………………………………………………………..
    Only if we are going to hand back Barbados to the British, after our 50 years of mostly mismanagement ,Or if President Donald Trump take us in as State #51

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