Statement by Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, Prime Minister, on the New Appointment of the Acting Governor General dated Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Fellow Citizens and Residents, it is my duty to report to you on a significant development of national interest.

The Honourable Attorney General Vincent Byron and I met with Sir Edmund Lawrence yesterday, Monday, May 18, 2015, at Government House to apprise him of the communication dated May 18, 2015 from Buckingham Palace confirming that Her Majesty the Queen had given her approval for the withdrawal of his appointment as the Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis and the appointment of Mr Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton as Acting Governor General. The Queen’s formal approval of the request was given on May 14, 2015 and is therefore effective from this date.

Section 21 of the Constitution of St Kitts and Nevis governs the appointment of the Governor General and it specifies that he shall be a citizen appointed by Her Majesty and shall hold office during Her Majesty’s pleasure.

Section 22 of the Constitution specifies that when the office of the Governor General is vacant that the functions shall be performed by such person as Her Majesty may appoint.

At the meeting with Sir Edmund Lawrence he was assured that all of the benefits to which he is entitled by law will be paid to him today, Tuesday, May 19, 2015.

I wish to record our gratitude to Sir Edmund and Lady Lawrence for their service in the said office. At the same time I bid fond welcome to His Excellency, Samuel Weymouth Tapley Seaton and wish him a most successful tenure. I am certain that he would ennoble the Office by his conduct and behavior.

May God Bless us all!