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PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - DP leader the Honorable MP Sarah Wescot-Williams responded Friday to a press statement from the Honorable Minister Maurice Lake on the subject of the Vorst property.

Minister Lake in his press statement which was also carried on this website, stated that he would like the Council of Ministers to take a vote on the planned purchase of the Vorst property.

In his statement Minister lake stated that "I was not surprised by the comments of our Prime Minister about the Vorst and Emilio Wilson land purchases. The Council of Ministers is made up of seven members not just one who has a difference of opinion for political reasons".

This statement seemingly prompted a swift response from the DP leader who implied that her new position in the Parliament of St. Maarten provides her the format to "speak out freely", a possibility in her view which she did enjoy before.

The Prime Minister also advised Minister lake to immediately pull back his advise on the planned purchase of the property if he knows that it may have contained "discrepancy".

These discrepancies the DP leader noted could mean that the Minister misled his colleagues in the Council of Ministers and to a further extent, the Governor of St. Maarten.

The full text of the DP leader, the Honorable MP Sarah Wescot-Williams can be read below.

Dear Minister Lake/ Dear Maurice,

In my opinion, we have  arrived at a sad state of affairs when persons can not express their  own view(s). I say this in response to your press statement which appeared today in the local dailies.
Like I stated in the Council's meeting of Tuesday, November 25th, I, Sarah Wescot- Williams, am in favor of deferring a decision on the purchase of the Vorst property to the incoming government. I repeated this sentiment in the press briefing on Wednesday. You do not have to agree. If a majority decides otherwise, so be it.
Your  constant reference to "politicking" by others when you  obviously do not see that it is what you do best, is not worthy of a reply from me.
However, let it be noted that the advice for the purchase of the Emilio Wilson Estate was brought to the Council on Tuesday on your initiative, not mine. In fact, you implored me to put it on the agenda this past Tuesday.
If you are aware of "discrepancies" in YOUR advice, I advice you to IMMEDIATELY  pull it back, as you otherwise would be attempting to mislead your colleagues in the Council and the Governor, to whom the draft decree has been sent.
Furthermore, I am entitled to express my opinion at any venue of my choosing. In addition, I am the spokesperson for the Council of Ministers, in case you did not know.
At  this stage of the game, I suggest any ideas you have for new formats of meetings or press briefings, you discuss with the incoming council of ministers.
Dear Minister Lake, over the years of chairing different councils of ministers, I have, in the interest of the unity of the council, held my peace and attempted to solve the many issues amongst ministers, in chambers. This attitude of mine, has  evoked much criticism from the outside from persons believing I knew more than I was willing to share with the public of St. Maarten, in fact that I was keeping such from the public.
I do not know about you, but I have been conditioning my mind for the transition from executive to legislator for some time. Being able to speak out freely  is for me a welcomed part of that transition.

Kindest regards,
Sarah Wescot-Williams