Gaskin will not give up UK Citizenship, says has ‘no great political aspirations’

Former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin says he has no intention of relinquishing his United Kingdom (UK) citizenship.

“I’ve said very clearly from the inception that I have no intention of giving up my UK citizenship just as I have no intention of giving up my Guyanese citizenship,” Gaskin told the media at a press conference at the Alliance For Change (AFC) Headquarters, Railway Line, Georgetown on Friday.

Gaskin was recently appointed by the President as Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Ministry of Business. He was forced to resign after the Court of Appeal confirmed a High Court decision that those with dual citizenship are not eligible to be elected to the National Assembly.

“If it deemed by the courts that I am not qualified to sit in the National Assembly, so be it.”

He further added that he will find other ways to contribute to the development of the country.

“I have no great political aspirations,” he said.

He added: “I certainly believe that even in Government, there are other ways to serve one’s country other than the National Assembly.”

Ministers Joseph Harmon, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Carl Greenidge were also forced to resign following the court ruling.  The President’s office, in announcing the resignations of the four Ministers, had stated that they will also be revoking their foreign citizenship.

The four Ministers have since been replaced.

The President has appointed Haimraj Rajkumar as Minister of Business, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley as Minister of Public Service, Dr. Karen Cummings as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dawn Hastings- Williams as Minister of State.