As far as three respected political scientists are concerned, Neil Rowe does not have to step down as Member of Parliament for St Michael North West because he has been charged with rape.Dr George Belle, Senator Dr Kristina Hinds and Peter Wickham believe the system should be given a chance to work before any decision is made regarding Rowe’s political future.Rowe, 43, was granted $10 000 bail when he appeared in court on Monday morning, to face the indictable charge of raping a woman on September 18, 2022.Since news broke over the weekend that he had been charged, there have been several calls for him to step down as MP.However, Belle, a renowned political scientist, told Barbados TODAY he saw no reason for Rowe to relinquish the seat he has held since 2018.“You can’t judge a man on the basis of him being charged, you have to give him his rights. He has not been found guilty, he has not been convicted so there’s nothing else to say. The man is charged, let him go to court and let the police and the prosecution make their charges,” he insisted.
