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The ongoing fugitive status of Dr. Elrington made the news this week, and from Elrington's perspective, it was resurrected because this is election season. Here's how he explained why:

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"I think that it is motivated by politics. This is political season. Politicians have not been able to find anything untoward to say about me. Although, they've tried very hard for the last 10 years. And so, they believe that by resurrecting this matter, it is somehow going to have a negative effect upon me. That is certainly not the case. I have been in the legal profession long enough to know that allegations are allegations. I do not carry them any further than that. I happen to know my brother though, and I know that he is a very honest person, and he's a very competent, capable person. And so, I give him the benefit of the doubt. I entertain no doubt that he is innocent of any imputation or allegation, unless and until I am proven wrong. I see no reason for me to feel in any way affected by any suggestion that is being made against him. If you publish libelous information, and you're taken to court for it, you have to prove the truth of what you're alleging. And, I can assure you, that none of the local newspapers can in fact prove that my brother has done anything that is criminal, unlawful, or illegal. The only reason why I would imagine he is not bothered to take legal action against those media houses, is to my mind, he understands that it is political season. It's politics, and it doesn't bother him. And it certainly doesn't bother me."

So, since the Foreign Minister is absolutely convinced that his brother, Dr. Errol Elrington, is innocent of all charges, why not go back and stand trial to acquittal? That's what we asked Elrington, and here's how he answered that one:

Daniel Ortiz
"Have you encouraged him, 'Okay, we take the position that you are innocent of all charges. Why not go back to the US, face trial and become exonerated, and get that albatross off your shoulders completely?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Well, whereas I have no doubt as to his innocence, I have followed very clearly and closely legal proceedings all over, and there are very many people all over the world who have been hanged innocently, after been convicted by duly constituted courts, or who are languishing in prison innocently. So that, if I were in his position, I would not go back there, largely for that reason, that you can't rely on the fact that you're innocent to be absolved if you are faced with a trial. Anything can happen, and so, for that reason, I would not encourage him to go. And if I were in his position, I would not volunteer to go either."

So far, the US Government has not sent an extradition request for Dr. Elrington. But, if one were to come, how Elrington handle it? Well, he told us that he would step aside and allow another Foreign Affairs Ministry official to take over. Here's what he had to say:

Daniel Ortiz
"There is this suggestion by your opponents that it is a conflict of interest, and that you would be hard pressed to send your own family member to face trial. How do you respond to that criticism?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Well, you don't have to - that is not a matter that should detain them really. I could always say to the Prime Minister, 'Look, this is not a matter that I want to deal with.' And I could ask to be relieved of the position, no big thing to me. But, I try to be professional in all that I do, but if I were to form the view that that would create a problem with me, I would simply move aside and have somebody else do it. You know, very often, during the course of any year, you have other people who act in the position of Foreign Minister. And, the people who act in the position of Foreign Minister, when the Foreign Minister is not in the country, has full authority and power to act, and to discharge the obligations."