KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has dismissed criticisms of the appointment of St Vincent and the Grenadines youngest minister of foreign affairs, saying it is “a simple question of green elemental jealousy”.

“Apparently, their criticism resides in a common matter which has been written repeatedly in the Hebrew Bible and into the New Testament, a simple question of green elemental jealousy. I am speaking very openly and frankly,” said Gonsalves, adding that he had heard some of the criticisms.

“For some reason they feel that somehow that their class gives them a divine right or some inside track to be the first woman to be foreign minister. Well I’m sorry to disappoint you. It is Keisal Melissa Peters,” Gonsalves said of the 36-year-old lawyer, who has been accused of bleaching.

Insisting that he is not using the swearing-in ceremony “to preach politics,” Prime Minister Gonsalves said, “I’m talking policy because we have to speak the matters very frankly and very honestly.

“I will not advert to a matter which had all the hallmarks of gutter politics, nastiness, entirely false. And when I spoke about it we brought that subject to an end,” he said, adding that people who are “the originators of the falsehood feel that I have done a disservice by rebutting the falsehood and because I have spoken about the falsehood I only give their lie additional wings.

“That is a cockeyed view of the truth,” Gonsalves said, adding that he rebutted “the falsehood” and his rebuttal is known to the world.

“And the fact of the matter is this: I know that my word in the world counts far more than those who seek to tarnish the good name of Keisal Melissa Peters.”

Gonsalves said there are some people who misunderstand what truth is about.

“Hypocritically they conceive of truth not just as a virtuous lady — because she is a virtuous lady, truth — but they feel that this virtuous lady they must surround it, they must protect it by a bodyguard of lies. Well, if you seek to protect the virtuous lady called truth with a bodyguard of lies, it only means that you’re a sophisticated liar. That’s all it means.”

“I am duty-bound as their leader and, because I’m much older than they are, as their veritable patriarch to defend them when they are maligned. And I will do so with all the skill that God and experience have devolved upon me,” he said.

“We have a big visit to do together at the United Nations General Assembly. It will be your first one.

“It would be an excellent experience for you,” Gonsalves told Peters, adding that, “I’m absolutely sure that you would continue to do your work with the level of commitment, savvy, competence that you will faithfully serve the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, so help me God.”