Police have confirmed that United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for Castries South, Tommy Descartes, was briefly detained on Election Day, December 1, after officers responded to reports of possible vote buying.
According to investigators, officers recovered approximately $30,000 from Descartes during the encounter. He was taken into custody for questioning and later released the same day as the probe continued.
Descartes has since pushed back strongly against the allegations. In a video statement posted to Facebook on December 3, he rejected the claims as politically driven and designed to tarnish his reputation.
“This is nothing but fake news,” Descartes declared. “This is the Labour Party’s usual tactic—undermining credible candidates and casting doubt on the UWP. If this is a preview of the next five years, we must prepare for widespread victimisation and intimidation.”
Police have not indicated whether any charges are being considered at this stage.
Meanwhile, UWP Deputy Leader and Castries South East candidate, Guy Joseph, has confirmed separate reports that police seized a substantial amount of cash found on him the same day, amid similar allegations that he was attempting to influence voters. Investigations into both matters remain ongoing.