Ar 
En GUYANA | Roysdale Forde speaks to sexual harassment allegations and a statement from Vanessa Kissoon
GUYANA | Roysdale Forde speaks to sexual harassment allegations and a statement from Vanessa Kissoon
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, June 20, 2024 - Following the firestorm which arose from allegations of sexual harassment against PNCR leader Aubrey Norton and a subsequent statement from People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Vanessa Kissoon on Wednesday, aspiring PNCR leader, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde has commented on the situation.
The following is the full text of a statement by Senior Counsel and Coalition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde on the matter:
Statement by Roysdale Forde S.C, M.P. on allegations involving Ms. Vanessa Kissoon and PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton.
The matter of alleged sexual violation involving PNCR member Ms. Vanessa Kissoon and Mr. Aubrey Norton, Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition, made public by Mr. Egland Gomes is most unfortunate.
Whatever the raison d'etre, Mr Norton, I contend, must be seen as innocent until proven guilty. Ms. Kissoon, the alleged victim, must have the benefit of telling her story without being harassed. We must judiciously proceed on this grave matter.
As an officer of the court, I am obligated to respect the rights of everyone, including the victim and accused, and the course of natural justice.
As a party we should not allow the prejudices of politics and power to affect our respect for the rule of law, efforts at cohesion within the party, our principles and/or core values as an alternative choice for government. Our behaviours must so reflect.
The allegations made by Ms. Kissoon in response to Mr. Norton’s statement are worthy of investigation and should not be treated lightly. The seriousness of our approach must result in a procedure that facilitates a fair and transparent investigation.
For no reason must we in the PNCR allow the perception to bear that we are unmindful and insensitive to the devastations and pains which the allegations cause the victim, the accused, and importantly our beloved party, members and supporters.
It is not too late for us to do what is right, not too late to say a kind word as we embrace the principles of social justice irrespective of who are involved, be they of the party or some other group.
What matters most is the integrity with which we approach the laws that bind us to do right by each other. No one must be above being held accountable.
Finally, whereas Mr. Gomes, who formerly supported Mr. Norton, is now apparently supporting my campaign, perhaps more than that of other rivals, it is his right to so do.
That being said, I am not responsible for Mr. Gomes’ tactics nor actions which by now the public is aware are driven by his well published daily recitals of disappointment in the Party’s leadership,a and what he perceives is growing destruction of the party, anti-democratic practices, ineptness in responding to the PPP’s excesses and poor governance.
-30-