Christ Church West incumbent Dr Maria Agard will not be censured by her political party for a recent Facebook post in which she made reference to biting “nobody clit”.
The United Progressive Party (UPP) said there was no reason to reprimand Dr Agard for the post, which some saw as highly inappropriate.
In fact, UPP leader Lynette Eastmond told Barbados TODAY there was nothing offensive about it.
“From my understanding clitoris is not a vulgar term, it is a part of the anatomy and you can speak about penis and vagina in public,” Eastmond said.
In what appeared to be a response to a critic on the social media platform, Dr Agard posted: “Whatever you know bout me boss man, publish it. At least I never bite out nobody clit.”
The UPP’s silence on the post led to accusations of double standard during a debate at the Barbados Community College (BCC) on Monday among the parties planning to contest the pending general election.
The debate was organized by the BCC student guild, and Jamal Slocombe, the guild vice president, asked why Dr Agard had not been punished while another UPP candidate, Charleston Taylor, was given the boot for a post on the same social media platform in which he called for the legalization of marijuana here, otherwise “blood will flow in the streets”.
However, Eastmond told Barbados TODAY this afternoon that both candidates were treated fairly, arguing that while Taylor’s statement went against the party’s position on the legalization on cannabis, Dr Agard’s comments did not mention anyone’s name and merely referred to a part of the female anatomy.
She further argued that Dr Agard’s statements could not be considered as mudslinging as she did not name anyone.
“It is not a matter of which post was worse or better, it has to do with the nature of it. We have a policy on cannabis and it is my view that Taylor comments conflicted with that view.
“We can only look at her [Dr Agard’s] statement literally because I have never known any of that to be true of any political figure,” the leader of the fledgling political party said.
Eastmond’s position was in stark contrast to that of the party’s candidate for St James South, Christal Austin, who represented the party at the event, and who, in response to Slocombe’s query, said she too was shocked by the post, and baffled as to why the UPP had not addressed it at the time.
“I, too, have to admit that I was taken aback when I saw the comment and I want to state categorically that it does not reflect on the tone, on the intentions or the directions that the general membership of the UPP [has adopted]. I know some people have been calling for some public response similar to what was taken with Taylor . . . .It does come across as a double standard, I must agree with that,” Austin, a public relations consultant, said.
After Taylor’s Facebook post, Eastmond had hosted a 12-minute broadcast on the social media platform confirming that her party had severed ties with the then St Philip West candidate. Eastmond said at the time the UPP had spoken with Taylor about his comment but he had maintained that he did not regret the controversial post.
Today, she denied that Taylor was kicked out of the party, arguing he had left by mutual consent.
The UPP leader also revealed this afternoon that Dr Agard had not been asked to retract the statement, nor had she been asked to apologize.
“You will have to speak to Austin about her comments and what she meant by them because I can’t tell you what she meant. All I am saying is that the candidates have been treated equally. I spoke to both of them and they have therefore been treated in the same way. She [Dr Agard] has not been asked to retract the comment and there is no one to apologize to,” Eastmond said.
What factor did Aastra Domus DONATING THE UPP SPACE TO HAVE AS A BASE play in Eastmond deciding nOT TO REPRIMAND DR AGARD?
wHAT WILL SHE DO CONCERNING HERMON LOWE? DON’T FELONY RECORDS, BE IT CIVIL OR CRIMINAL, PLAY A PART IN ONE’S ABILITY TO OPERATE AS A CANDIDATE?
Agard should have been reprimanded. This behaviour is appalling. we expect better from those running to represent us. It tells me that Eastmond is weak.
Should she have use the other c word, like her blp opponent? Would it Be ok then?
Miss agard will bring trouble to the UPP camp
These are biting comments anyway I love miss agard case closed.
Love u Maria Agard u can deal wid Demons
The reformed Natalee has so far refrained and must be commended, from using such language as would be expected of her.
Maria the Brave
A clit should be licked not bit
Ian B like he starting to work for that lil pick at CBC.
Ian B late father the AmericAn Desmond was a staunch BLP supporter and so is fat Ian.
Bajans ,politics in barbados would get a lot worse before there is change , the peoples changing that…..
Politicians are out of control in Barbados , they say what they like and do what they like when it suits them, they have no respect for the people or our country…They all behave the same and most of them have the front to condemn Donald trump ………
I do like this lady , she should have stayed with the BLP……………….
SHAME on you AGARD…you see Natalie getting on so ? Natalie trying to lift herself up and you a bIG ABLE WOMAN DENTIST that does pull people teet gone down below the belt talking bout BITING CLIT…you in had no brought upsy ?
Shame on you too Eastmond for your DOUBLE STANDARDS…like you think people foolish…as STRAIGHT TALK said she will bring trouble to the Party …don’t expect it to last beyond x mas anyway.
Maria Agard is full of hatred and venom since she got boot out of the blp.
Maria Agard is consumed by vengeance and resentment for Mia. That’s not the sort of person you want in a leadership position either.
The upp reason for running is to stop Mia mottley from becoming prime minister but they will fail , miserably !
Wait
With this clit thing. Who is she referring to???
Just asking
Care must always be given to the setting of precedents. as party leader, it was Ms. Eastmond’s responsibility to indicate that her party will not abide such vulgarity from its candidates. In as much as Dr. Agard “got away” with this comment, Dr. Agard will most likely push the envelope next time. As a professional, Dr. Agard’s comments in a public forum was at best most unbecoming. She certainly has lost my respect and in as much as Ms. Eastmond gave such a weak defense of the party’s tacit compliance with the sentiment expressed, I also have chosen to disregard them from serious consideration for leadership of this country and of being my representatives.
If we are not careful, some of these politicians, budding and serving will suffer heart attacks before the pm calls election, him excluded.
Agard, you mean to say you just gone in a new Party and creating enemies and hatred already?…like you want to tek over de Partys’ leadership ,jack.
With that behavior no wonder one a DEM women could say that Bdos is not yet ready for a female PM…..she mean people like you ,Agard
Agard ,that language emanating from your mouth is unbecoming of a DENTIST who everyone knows leads the fight in practicing good oral hygiene.
All these BLP educated no common yard ducks were silent when thee other Dentist who was suppose to Do Good was telling a DLP member right inside Parliament about he mother cXXt
Where were you then REV. WINSTON S. JONES
All thee false PROPHETS, Sodomites, Slave Drivers, Oppressors and white shadows coming out the wood work hoping the Babylonians win next election
I want maria agard the brave to tell it all
edmund hinkson said they have frauds in blp camp
up de ting maria put the demons to flight
run wey de demons
Maria the excorcist
the blp pimps and yard ducks fraid maria
bite muh keeping quiet
UPP de ting. The women of UPP are dynamic leaders who will not be bought or sold. Who will not be silenced, who will not sit back and accept abuse from anyone. They are progressive thinkers who are ready to serve. I too defend righteous women. These two women have served our county well. We look forward to their progressive ideas to go forward. UPP to the world. #RealWomen
#RealLeaders
Is this an adult forum or a primary school playground ?
as long as the remarks are against Mia there are ok. well Agard what have you done for the people in your CONSTITUENCY. Nothing at all. these are just two money grabbing hoes. so lynette throws a condidate under the bus, no rep help in court and drops another candidate for stating the obvious. so the Upp is all about cussing mia for the dlp. not one vote.
Poor cris hill can’t even manage his home affairs and want to run the UPP
Up de ting Maria tell it all i want to hear wat happen in St.Lucia
MArk my worD
Natlee is the one who will tell it all ……..and maria and lynette gine get exposed fully. Just wait mark, not long now to go.
Maria says she’s got more panamanian flavour she loves “conch escaveshi any time day or night”!
Gosh…such vituperation, when all that is required, is to exercise one’s patience, and to carefully place two pieces of plaster over whatever is causing one pain.Yes, put the plasters to form an “X”.You mean to say, with the sky falling down, that such a “small matter”, is worth all this? Look in your own mirror, before casting stones. Yep, that the best, free, “mixed metaphor” soup you’ll get today.And pray for all sinners…me included.
@JORDAN MANNING
Natlee AIN’T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN IN ST.lUCIA, MARIA KNOWS.