EDITOR, The Tribune

WE ARE appalled at the unmitigated gall of Fred Mitchell in attacking Tribune columnist Adrian Gibson in the House of Assembly today about two columns he wrote seeking an inquiry into the death of my son, Christopher Prescott Adderley, while on remand in Haiti.

Christopher was a pilot and had only travelled to Haiti to quickly return upon pick up of another pilot, Hughie Gray.

As we sat here in Long Island listening to Mr Mitchell’s contribution in the House today, our mouths hit the floor. We are of the view that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did very little to help our son. Mr Mitchell ignored my pleas and sent me from one person to another - who didn’t respond - as I begged for help for my son. I begged them to take medical supplies to him.

Mr Mitchell could now talk, but where was his voice when we needed him?

We have, via Mr Gibson, released copies of cheques we sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Whatsapp messages between ourselves and the official in Haiti who was handling the bribes requested. He was the facilitator in this entire episode. The bribes all passed through the MOFA with the knowledge of officials in Haiti. We have published the receipts. We can give him all of the Whatsapp messages if he wants them.

Mr Mitchell now claims that he was sent an email by our family stating that they do not support Mr Gibson. Nothing could be further from the truth. What’s more, Mr Gibson is our family. His grandmother and my father are siblings. I taught him from grades seven to 12.

We support Mr Gibson 100 per cent. I gave him access to my email account. I gave him the copies of the cheques. I facilitated the interview between him and Hugh Gray Jr. That is a fact.

I am a grieving mother. Mr Mitchell has yet to answer the many questions we have concerning my son’s death, his nonchalant approach to me this entire time and his failure to provide any information thus far. We have yet to hear from him. I need closure.

Adrian and ‘Scottie’ grew up in Long Island together. They are cousins. They grew up like brothers.

In saving himself, Fred Mitchell needs not to mislead the public from the floors of the House of Assembly. We call upon Fred Mitchell to conduct a proper investigation into my son’s death rather than twisting and mis-characterising this circumstance and the efforts of my cousin and former student, Mr Gibson, to assist our family. We will not allow that.

We await your answers Mr Mitchell. We beg that you answer. I beg you, Sir, address the issues Adrian raised in his two Tribune columns.

I need closure, Sir. I do not need for you to deflect and lose sight of the issue by seeking to confuse the public.

SHARON ROSEMARY ADDERLEY

Long Island

March 21, 2016