People’s National Movement (PNM) long-standing activist Ricardo “Gladiator” Welch says he will examine his future with the party following his suspension yesterday.
Welch, who became a PNMite in the 1970s, was one of three PNM members suspended by the party for indiscipline, pending an investigation.
He described the suspension as a violation of the rules of natural justice.
“What we are witnessing is the beginning of Dr Keith Rowley’s gestapo of the 1930s during the reign of Adolf Hitler. This gestapo held their meeting without notifying me in advance that I would be under an investigation. I need to know what are the allegations levied against me pertaining to the suspension. The witch hunt has started. I know I am going to be a victim of Rowley’s administration. And very soon I may have to seek political asylum to another country.”
Welch said the suspension was just the beginning.
“The next move is to send me to a concentration camp.”
He said his suspension sends a clear message to all in the PNM that anyone who has an issue or opposes anything will be dealt with.
As an activist, Welch said, he was stoned and insulted by the public for distributing flyers and posters for the PNM.
Welch said, “When PNMites chased, cursed and physically assaulted former prime minister Patrick Manning out of Balisier House on the night of May 24, 2010, following the party’s defeat at the polls, why Rowley did not launch an investigation to reprimand the guilty parties?
“No one was suspended. It was condoned.”
Having spoken against some of the party’s decisions and actions on radio station 91.9 FM, Welch said he never aligned with nor campaigned for the People’s Partnership in the 2015 general election.
“I always say on radio I am a rebel PNM. It leaves me to wonder what is the next step externally from the party. I have to look at my future under this administration. They are doing whatever they want.”