APNU again runs controversial candidate for LGE – had withdrawn support in 2016

The main political opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is once again supporting a controversial figure for the Local Government Elections who was accused of being a child molester.

Winston Harding is on the APNU’s list of candidates for this year’s local polls set for June 12.

He is contesting in constituency 13 (West and East Ruimveldt).

Harding had been repeatedly charged, though never convicted, with child molestation.

In March 2016, the then ruling APNU withdrew its endorsement of Harding as a candidate at the polls when the accusations surfaced but he still contested the elections and won his constituency.

The President at the time, David Granger, was asked whether Harding would be recalled from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council given the seriousness of the allegations.

Granger, according to a Demerara Waves article, said the matter would be discussed internally.

In April 2016, Harding was sworn in as a councillor with the full support of APNU.

But there were calls for Granger to remove his Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence from her portfolio.

This is after Lawrence, when questioined on the issue regarding Harding said, “this is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason.”