CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

There were renewed calls on Friday from the main opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) for the removal of Economic and Planning Minister Ausbert d'Auvergne from the Cabinet.

The SLP, in a statement, questioned why Prime Minister Stephenson King insisted on retaining the services of the planning minister, in light of what it said were calls from supporters of the government, including its parliamentarians, for his dismissal.

"There is agreement across the political divide that Mr. d'Auvergne is not a fit and proper person to hold public office," the statement noted.

Last year, reports emerged that the minister had business links with an individual who was later convicted in the United States on drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges.

witness

The minister appeared in an Atlanta Federal court in February last year as a witness for the defence in a major mortgage fraud case, testifying on behalf of his cousin, Marcus Alcindor.

Alcindor was sentenced on September 26, 2007, for multiple charges of fraud and money laundering linked to his association with a man named Riley Graham, who was introduced to him by d'Auvergne.

On the basis of this, the SLP had repeatedly called for d'Auvergne's resignation and now says it is important to protect the honour and integrity of the island.

commission of inquiry

The planning minister was also the subject of a commission of inquiry some years ago, which found that he had improperly bought four acres of land while he held the position of Chairman of the Development Control Authority.

Court officials say if the judge agrees to grant permission for the judicial review, then a date for that substantive matter will also be set.

The minister appeared in an Atlanta Federal court in February last year as a witness for the defence in a major mortgage fraud case, testifying on behalf of his cousin, Marcus Alcindor.