St Vincent PM ordered to undergo screening at Barbados airport

Barbadian authorities have launched an investigation into an incident involving St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves at the Grantley Adams International Airport.

Gonsalves was reportedly headed back home from Guyana and was due to connect on a LIAT flight when he was not recognised. He was ordered by a female G4S officer to return for further screening after his bag went off during his initial security check, Barbados Today reported.

But Gonsalves, one of the most recgonised leaders of the region, refused to follow the guard’s orders. It was after she called for back-up that another security guard recognised him.

It is customary for protocol officers to accompany prime ministers and other dignitaries, but no one was reportedly present for Gonsalve’s arrival.

Senior officers at the airport subsequently issued an apology to Gonsalves for the guard’s error as well as the lapse in official protocol arrangements.

Loop News Service