By Lamin Njie
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to relevant authorities within the government for advice in the case of one of its officials, a spokesperson of the ministry has told The Fatu Network.
Melville Robertson Roberts, a deputy permanent secretary at the foreign ministry, is battling to clear his name following shocking accusations of sexual misconduct against him. At least five women have accused Mr Robertson Roberts of sexually abusing them. Mr Robertson Roberts who is currently in England has denied the accusations.
Reports of Mr Robertson Roberts sexually assaulting women first emerged on Saturday after a woman from Tallinding accused him of raping her. The woman, who The Fatu Network will not name since it is not yet clear whether she wants her name in media publications, posted screenshots of her past conversation with Mr Robertson Roberts on the social media network Facebook. Her move was quickly greeted by a slew of similar accusations from other women.
But Mr Robertson Roberts in an interview with Kerr Fatou chief executive officer Fatou Touray denied raping her but admitted he got intimate with her the first day they met.
On Sunday, the communication officer at the ministry of foreign affairs Saikou Ceesay told The Fatu Network the ministry is aware of Mr Robertson Roberts’s case.
“The ministry has taken note of stories on the social media against Mr Robertson. As at now, we have taken up the matter with the constituted relevant authorities for advice and for line of action,” Mr Ceesay added.
Allegations against Mr Robertson Roberts has generated shock and revulsion in The Gambia, particularly among Gambian women and it is coming few days after 23-year-old Fatou Jallow accused former president Yahya Jammeh of raping her.
The Fatu Network contacted Mr Robertson Roberts immediately the reports emerged but he is yet to respond to a request for comment.
