Hours after Leader of the Opposition and PNC Reform Leader, Aubrey Norton, denied sexually harassing former People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) Parliamentarian, Vanessa Kissoon, Ms. Kissoon detailed an incident that she said took place some time ago and involved a threat by Mr. Norton.
In her statement, Kissoon did not provide details about the date of the alleged incident, but said contrary to Mr. Norton’s denial, he once made a threat of sexual assault.
“Mr. Norton stopped his car, locked it, showed me his gun in his foot and asked me, ‘If I put this to your head and rape you, what would you do?’ I responded by saying, ” I ain’t afraid of you or that sk%$t and you will have to f&%king kill me,’” Kissoon said in statement.
She said Norton did not carry out the alleged threats or desires, but stated that she has had to carry the burden of what took place over the past several years.
The allegations were first brought to light by US-based Guyanese, Egland Gomes in a social media post.
Kissoon, while acknowledging that she had a conversation with Gomes in the presence of a third party, said she never granted him any permission to make her story public.
However, she said it was important for her to address the issue at this time, since it has been thrown into the public’s domain.
The Opposition Leader, while denying that he and Kissoon ever traveled alone in his vehicle from Georgetown to Linden, had called on Kissoon to come forward with the truth.
“At no time, Vanessa Kissoon and I were in any vehicle alone heading to Linden. All of these claims are false and malicious. I wish to call on Sharma Solomon and Vanessa to speak to this issue, since failure to do so, will suggest that they are complicit in this false and malicious post,” Norton stated.
The PNC Leader said he sees the allegations as part of a wider political plot, as his party’s congress and elections draw near.
Norton said he has never been involved in the sexual assault of any person.
But Kissoon, while maintaining her story, reminded Norton that Guyanese are living in different times when great emphasis is placed on the protection of women and girls.
To her fellow comrades, and members of society, Kissoon urged that they stand on the right side of history.
“Mr. Norton may have missed the times we are in and the value placed in protecting women and girls. No one should be subjected to such inappropriate sexual advances and threats. To those men and women who have allowed politics and not what is right to influence your judgment of the situation, you have a lot to learn about abuse and sexual misconduct. I recall how vigorously some of you went after other accused but how you let down your own. Our party, our nation, needs more enlightenment and a nonpartisan approach to actions of this nature,” Kissoon.
Earlier today, Norton stated that he has instructed his lawyers to take legal action against the person responsible for the initial social media post chronicling the alleged assault. He has not responded to the statement issued by Vanessa Kissoon.
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