Statement on the Telson Bascom situation 21st December, 2020

On the 2st of December 2020 at exactly 10.02 pm I Rawle Nelson was contacted by one of our
correspondents/sources in Region Ten about an unfortunate incident which reportedly occurred
at the RDC.
Mr. Telson Bascom contacted the correspondent/source and divulged issues about the incident
and in the process requested to contact me via telephone because he felt that the REO, Mr.
Dwight John was disinterested in the incident and he deserved justice. I consented to have my
number given to Mr. Bascom and said that I found it strange that he wanted my number on this
occasion, when, in previous situations, he would contact me voluntarily.
I asked out of curiosity what had he done with my number and was told by the correspondent
that his phone was practically dead. Therefore, he couldn’t remember my number offhand. I
shared a number and recognizing that he may have difficulties contacting me, I took the initiative
to contact him instead.
He was very emotional while relating the physical altercation with a RDC colleague. He did say
that he had contacted the acting DREO, Ms. Dollette Powers whom he said laughed cynically
asking “Duke did that to you?”.
Mr. Bascom confirmed that he contacted the Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Mark Phillips
about the incident and was advised that a police report should be filed. During our conversation I
recalled commending the Prime Minister for not ‘flexing his muscles’ but rather allow the police
to do their work.
The conversation then ended as we mutually agreed for a follow-up interview after he received
medical attention and filed a report with the police.
After failing to reach him via telephone for more than two hours my correspondent/source
contacted his mother.

She had initially expressed disappointment with the treatment meted out to her son, who by then
complained of feeling unwell after seeking medical attention and filing the police report and
allegedly went “straight to bed”.
He agreed to continue the interview the next day, but my haunch was that this was a delaying
tactic. I told my correspondent/source so and that I had a ‘gut feeling’ that he was avoiding the
more detailed interview because of financial inducements. I took steps to protect my personal
and journalistic integrity.
My haunch proved on point. Later the next morning my correspondent/source received separate
telephone calls from both Mr. Bascom and his mother informing that a settlement between the
parties had been achieved.
I am very disappointed by Mr. Bascom’s actions but I am not one bit surprised. He claimed
there was no financial settlement just the verbal statement of remorse which was all he wanted in
the first place.
I would welcome any investigation to expose the lies composed in the public statement Mr.
Bascom, who has serious difficulties expressing himself in writing, allegedly penned. As the
author of this article, I would like to state categorically that Mr. Telson Bascom didn’t engage
this media house directly on the issue. As a matter of fact, he sent eight pictures detailing the
injuries he sustained during the fracas.
I am extremely disappointed and peeved over Mr. Bascom’s action but, for now, I have
ruled pursuing legal action because senior functionaries of the RDC have been exerting
tremendous pressure on the hapless young man.