| Honorific prefix | The Honourable |
|---|---|
| Office 1 | Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Prime minister 1 | Timothy Harris |
| Term start 1 | 22 February 2015 |
| Term end 1 | May 2022[1] |
| Predecessor 1 | Earl Asim Martin |
| Successor 1 | Eugene Hamilton |
| Office 2 | Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Culture |
| Prime minister 2 | Timothy Harris |
| Term start 2 | 22 February 2015 |
| Term end 2 | 2022? |
| Birth name | Shawn Kenneth Richards |
| Birth date | 8 December 1972 (age 53) |
| Party | People's Action Movement |
| Alma mater | Cleveland State University, University of the Virgin Islands |
Shawn Kenneth Richards (born 8 December 1972) is a Kittitian politician from the People's Action Movement (PAM).[2] He currently serves as a member of the National Assembly, and was formerly the party leader of PAM and Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Political career
Richards was first elected as a member of the National Assembly of Saint Kitts and Nevis for the St Christopher #5 constituency in the 2010 election,[3] and was re-elected at the 2015, 2020, and 2022 elections. In 2012, he became leader of PAM.
Richards was the Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis from 2015 until 2022, when he was fired by Timothy Harris upon the collapse of the Team Unity alliance.[1] In 2024, he stepped down as leader of PAM, and was succeeded by Natasha Grey-Brookes.
Other activities
Richards completed his higher education in the United States at Cleveland State University and then the University of the Virgin Islands. He qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in 2002 and worked as an auditor in Saint Kitts and Nevis.[2] He renounced his American citizenship in 2009 during the debate on the National Assembly Elections (Amendment) Bill, which barred dual citizens from standing for election.[4]
References
- ^ "SKNVibes | PM Harris fires six Government Ministers". www.sknvibes.com
- ^ "Hon. Shawn Richards". People's Action Movement. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
- ^ "St. Kitts Nevis Labour Party elected to a fourth consecutive term in office". ZIZ News. 2010-01-26. Archived 2012-11-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
- ^ "St Kitts takes dual citizenship issue to parliament". Caribbean 360. 2009-07-03. Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2013-12-23. "St Kitts Opposition Leader May be Forced to Resign Over Diplomatic Passport Row". Times Caribbean Online. October 8, 2017. Archived October 13, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
Then Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas was very instrumental in the move to get rid of both Mr. Shawn Richards and Mr. Lindsay Grant in the then upcoming 2010 General Elections. The PAM candidates, the Hon Lindsay Grant and Hon Shawn Richards journeyed to Barbados where they renounced their US Citizenship and relinquished their US passports.
External links
- Profile for Shawn Richards on the website of the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis