Opposition leader Paul Lewis has raised “grave concerns” about alleged bias in the recruitment process for key government positions.
In a letter addressed to Governor Sarah Tucker on 24 September, he implied “favouritism” in the swift advertisement of a role formerly held by a PDM political candidate compared to other senior posts.
However, the Governor’s Office has said its recruitment team are “robust in ensuring fair, transparent, equitable processes are followed consistently across the public service”.
The position of director of postal services was recently vacated by Nyota Mulcare who is now a People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate in the 24 October general election.
The application deadline for the role has now been set for 23 October – just one day before the elections.
This timing, Lewis argued, raises questions about whether the former post holder is being excluded from reapplying for the position if she fails to secure a parliamentary seat.
‘Glaring discrepancy’
The opposition and PDM leader contrasted this swift action with the ongoing delays in advertising two other key civil service roles.
They are chief statistician within the Ministry of Finance and parliamentary counsel within the Legal Department.
Both positions have been vacant since 22 July following the departure of two civil servants who have since declared their allegiance to the ruling MCAP administration.
“This discrepancy is glaring,” Lewis wrote in his letter, asserting that the delays suggest favouritism toward individuals affiliated with the ruling party.
He expressed concerns about the potential impact on the upcoming elections, adding: “I find this situation deeply troubling.”
Serious concerns
Lewis urged the governor to act immediately by instructing the relevant departments to advertise the two vacant posts with the same deadline as the director of postal services.
“Your role, as head of the civil service, is to ensure impartiality and fairness in the administration of government affairs, especially during an election period,” he wrote.
“What is happening here undermines confidence in the neutrality of the civil service and raises serious concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.”
He warned that failure to address the issue would leave him no choice but to escalate the matter to international election observers, the British press, and the UK parliament.
“The democratic process in the British overseas territory of Montserrat must remain free and fair, and any actions that taint this process with bias or political interference are unacceptable,” he said.
‘A robust process’
In response, the Governor’s Office told Montserrat Focus on 25 September: “Her Excellency noted that she has received a letter from Honourable Lewis yesterday, to which she will respond.
“Recruitment in the public service follows a robust process.
“There are different approaches to recruitment: where there are internal candidates that could take on roles, an internal process takes place ahead of any external recruitment.
“The governor and her senior management team are robust in ensuring fair, transparent, equitable processes are followed consistently across the public service.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was updated at 11am on 25 September to include the response from the Governor’s Office.
