Coursing through parliament over the last 48 hours is debate on a revision to the Sexual Offenses Act. This is a welcome improvement to an act that sorely needed a modern look. We at MiTC would like to commend the Skerrit government for bringing this forward, albeit quite late. We are concerned however, about inadequate protection from frivolous accusations. This act needs further improvement, but this is a start.

In the same vein, we want to advise the Skerrit administration that while we commend you on this action, we remain cognizant of the fact that this administration is brimming with persons who have been accused, and in many cases suspected of wielding their power to extract sexual favours from our fellow citizens that they perceive to be vulnerable, in particular young women and underage boys and girls.

The Pay-to-Play sex scandal that erupted several months ago remains unresolved. Former minister Ian Pinard has been accused and charged with having inappropriate relations with a minor in this case. Though he subsequently resigned his ministerial and parliamentary positions pending the disposition of the case, Mr. Pinard was rewarded soon afterwards by this very government with a plum assignment at a quasi-government entity while he simultaneously campaigned for his successor in the Soufriere constituency. We have not forgotten the awful statements from another government minister, Justina Charles, when she declared that Ian Pinard was, in her opinion, a great and honourable man. This is a woman whose ministerial portfolio includes the welfare of the youth, but she declares that a man accused of violating a 14-year old girl in the worst possible manner, is a "great and honourable man". Justina Charles is a slimy, despicable human being not unlike a slug; Pierre Charles must be rolling over in his grave.