Gonsalves ... has got off two sex charges. - File

KINGSTOWN (CMC):

THE DIRECTOR of public prosecutions (DPP) has reportedly stepped in again and discontinued a sexual assault charge against Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Gonsalves was due to appear before the Family Court on April 14 to answer to a charge that he sexually assaulted a woman in January 2004, but on Friday, DPP Colin Williams wrote the lawyers of the alleged victim informing them that the case has been discontinued, CMC has learnt.

"It is a very sad day, the saddest day for the administration of justice," said Kay Bacchus Browne, the attorney for the woman in question. "I am still in shock, I am appalled at the DPP. My client is very upset."

Bacchus said the woman, who resides in Canada, was willing to meet with the DPP and the police, and that this information was forwarded to DPP Williams.

Gonsalves told CMC recently that this latest charge was false, vowing to continue doing his work as prime minister, and let his lawyers deal with the matter. When CMC contacted Williams, he said that he was not prepared to confirm or deny that he has discontinued the case.

Earlier charge discontinued

This is the second time since the start of the year that the DPP would have stepped in to discontinued charges against the prime minister.

On February 4, the DPP took over and discontinued private criminal charges of rape and sexual assault that were brought against Gonsalves by a 36-year-old policewoman.

The officer alleged that she was assaulted and raped by the prime minister on January 3, while she was part of the security detail at his official residence. The DPP said that he found no evidence to warrant the charges, a view that was also expressed by Commissioner of Police Keith Miller, who had investigated the matter.

Lawyers for the policewoman filed for leave to seek judicial review of the DPP's decision, but High Court judge Gertel Thom denied the request at a recent hearing. Her judgement has since been appealed.