Symmonds slams “malicious rumours” of U.S. arrest

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kerrie Symmonds has dismissed as false and malicious rumours suggesting that he was detained in the United States and that Attorney General Dale Marshall had travelled overseas to resolve the matter.

Responding to reports circulating online, the Member of Parliament for St James Central said he remains in Barbados, carrying out his duties.

“I just want to say that I am here in Barbados very much alive and well and I’m in St James right now following up on some issues that are of concern to folks in my constituency. There is no truth whatsoever to the rumour. It is vicious, nasty and unfortunate, and in this day and age it is very clear that some people have nothing better to do than create scandal, and that scandal does not lack for a carrier,” Symmonds said in a statement.

He added: “Unfortunately for those who published the scandal, I am not overseas at this point, and I’m here for all to see.”

Unverified messages claiming that the senior minister had been “locked up in the USA” and that Marshall had travelled abroad to manage the situation began circulating on social media earlier on Friday and into the weekend. (SM)