Union acting against court’s order, says McDowall

Former President of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), Akanni McDowall has hit back after an apparent decision to expel him from the organisation’s dwindling membership.

In a statement issued on Friday, the embattled public servant declared that numerous charges laid against him on Wednesday at a National Council hearing were in violation of a previous court ruling.

Barbados TODAY understands that a decision was taken at the meeting to have McDowall and another member Natalie Murray, struck from the union’s records for allegedly “bringing the organisation into disrepute”.

Earlier this year, the former president was suspended from all union activities on similar grounds, following an unsuccessful bid to have him appointed to the non-existent post of Secretary-General.

Sitting President, Kimberley Agard on Friday said that the two people at the centre of the latest controversy would be informed of a recent council decision. She did not disclose the details.

“There was a meeting yesterday and the results of that meeting will be conveyed to brother McDowall and sister Murray,” she said in a Starcom Network interview.

Hours later in a fiery response which he titled Pappy Show & Witch-hunt, McDowall revealed that he was present at the hearing, but left when it was clear that the council was adamant about proceeding with its charges against him, against the court ruling.

The High Court ruled on July 22 that a union move to suspend him at the time as president was in breach of the doctrine of natural justice.

“Clarke Gittens Farmer advised me not to participate in the meeting, as it remains a breach of the laws of natural justice,” McDowall’s statement explained.

“Whatever steps they take at the meeting will be addressed by the law courts of Barbados. It started as a blatant political agenda but has now descended into a pappy show and a witch hunt at the members’ expense,” McDowall declared.

The former union president further contended that it was a breach of natural justice to have the latest matter heard by the same body making the claims against him. He also questioned an apparent disregard for “potential witnesses” who could present evidence on his behalf.

“People need to understand that this council is to be replaced with a new council. This outgoing council tried to sentence me to the gallows and now wants to hear the case to determine if I am guilty,” said McDowall, who is represented by Attorney Omari Drakes.

“They want to punish me because the members wanted me to be Secretary-General. All of this could have been avoided if the members were allowed to vote for the Secretary-General.

You really have to ask yourself if I had been re-elected as President if I would be subjected to this sham. The whole thing is one big political sham,” he declared.
(KS)