United St. Maarten Party hosted its first public meeting without its leader, Member of Parliament Frans Richardson, on the ring road Saturday.
Candidates, according to the party, were “well prepared” by their leader “to overcome any obstacle and focus solely on St. Maarten” and “will stand with our leader as he fights his battles.” Party co-founder Cecil Nicholas said the blue party “will push on” and when Richardson is back, “we will push on together and stand with our leader while he fights his battles.” The party will hold another “town hall session” in Belvedere on Tuesday. Richardson was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Taskforce TBO on February 14 on suspicion of accepting bribes, tax fraud and participation in a criminal organisation aimed at recruiting votes for itself. His detention was extended for eight more days by the judge on February 16.
