The Events of November 18, 1973

Paragraph 96. - An Examination in Detail [Part 6] - The Evidence of Nugent David

96. Mr. Nugent David said that about 3:15 - 3:20 p.m. (15:15 - 15:20) he received a telephone call from Grenville, The caller was Kenrick Radix. Radix said that he and Bishop and others went to hold a meeting at Grenville but they were prevented from doing so; that guns were then being fired at them and that Belmar who was in charge was running riot outside. Radix told him that a number of police aides were with Belmar and asked him to listen to the gunshots. David says he did not hear gunshots; but that Radix asked him to provide some assistance as their lives were in danger. He understood from Radix that members of the New Jewel Movement were being arrested, guns were being fired and he got the impression that "there was something like a riot or something going on." Radix telephoned him more than once. David also received a telephone call from Her Excellency, the Governor, Dame Hilda Bynoe; and as a result of the telephone calls from Radix and the Governor he decided to send reinforcements to Grenville. Because of the reports, he telephoned the Premier, who agreed that he should send a batch of policemen to Grenville. Up to that time no police officer spoke to him about sending policemen to Grenville, but he had tried unsuccessfully to reach Belmar by telephone and left word that Belmar should call him. Nugent David understood from Radix that rifles were being fired by policemen but as Commissioner he has never since inquired into the matter.