First, the good news. Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith apparently has a firm grip on his staff at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.
At first glance, the image of Minister Heavy D putting his hand on an employee from the communication department seemed like a throwback to the ‘good old inappropriate days’ when a woman’s primary role in the office—as far as under-sexed male bosses were concerned—was somewhere between eye candy and a walking target for sexual innuendos and advances.

Sport Minister Darryl Smith (right) takes a hands-on approach to communication at the ministry with employee Kate Balthazar.
Or to paraphrase a certain president: Make the Sport Ministry great again!
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm that Dr Rolph Balgobin has applied to be Sport Company chairman. Or that PSA leader Watson Duke said: “That looks fine to me… but send me more photos, just to be sure!”
But beyond the potential issue of Minister Big and Sexy fondling a female employee like a box of popcorn chicken, lies something far more chilling.
Is Smith housing more than yesterday’s buffet beneath his portly exterior?
Mr Live Wire has received emails which suggest that the Sport Minister might be battling with multiple personality disorder, which is allegedly having a deleterious impact on his government position and interfering with the performance of his staff.
At 11.24am on Friday 9 September 2016, a letter was dispatched from Smith’s Gmail account as Diego Martin Regional Corporation chairman to Kate Balthazar’s Yahoo in-box.

Is Balthazar working in communications or the psychiatric ward?
Incidentally, Smith resigned as Diego Martin Regional Corporation chairman on 8 September 2015, since he cannot be MP and regional chairman.
In the exchange, Smith appeared to be seeking editorial assistance for a letter from Smith, who described himself as one of Smith’s “worst critics” but noted that he had since been “silenced” by Smith’s sterling work as work.
“I now have to eat humble pie and congratulate you on a job well done.”
It was enough to make a psychiatrist giddy.
Balthazar responded in exactly 42 minutes with the word: “Edited.”
There were two notable headings in the letter. One read: “Letter to the Editor” and the other was: “I apologise to Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith.”
Was this bizarre e-mail proof that Smith was an amalgam of three different personalities in one body—each weighing 170 pounds?

Kate Balthazar appears to help Sport Minister Darryl Smith pen a fake letter to the editor.
Or—and this theory is a bit ridiculous, so bear with me—was Smith asking his employee at the Sport Ministry to help him hoodwink the media and, by extension, the general public by pretending to be his own “worst critic” who was since converted by his own brilliant management and hard work?
The irony that the two appeared to be creating a false document about his supposedly remarkable work ethic during office hours was delicious. But, apparently, not as tasty as that humble pie.
On Saturday 10 September 2016, Balthazar—or whoever handled her Yahoo account—sent a follow-up email, which explained that: “I made further changes that its [sic] more realistic.”
The Sport Minister’s initial reference to eating humble pie was now deleted. Duh. Even Smith’s multiple personalities appear to all be obsessed with snack time.
Presumably, role-playing at the Smith household is more likely to involve someone wearing a chef’s apron than a g-string.
The letter to the editor went on to praise Smith for: singled handedly stopping flooding in Diego Martin, buying books, shoes and football boots for youths in the constituency as well as granting them scholarships to the United States, providing free dental, eye and general health examinations for constituents, personally cleaning up the Diego Martin River, and seeing hundreds of constituents weekly at his office, all while playing cricket and football with youths on a daily basis.

Only this time he keeps his hands to himself.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
Sadly, Smith has apparently not eradicated hunger, crime and poverty in Diego Martin Central or cured cancer just yet. But then that was just his list of accomplishments in year one, so perhaps we should be patient.
Just how many personalities would the big fellah need to get all of that work done anyway?
Devout family man, conscientious Sport Minister, self-avowed critic of the same Sport Minister, hardworking MP, princess enthusiast, environmentalist, sportsman, specialist ribbon cutter, philanthropist, author, corporation chairman, cheeky playboy, loving boss…
Maybe M Night Shyamalan should recast the lead character for his psycho-thriller “Split”, which is about a male kidnapper with multiple personalities and a murderous temper.
Or, maybe, Smith should just split.

Editor’s Note: A photographer showed how the image could be manipulated to remove Sport Minister Darryl Smith’s hand from Kate Balthazar’s rear end. Ironically, the photoshopped image is being passed off now by Smith’s supporters as the original.

Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
Dese ppl sick?wat hand dey talking bout
This was a real funny read! At first my head was spinning too but then I caught the gist of it?. Some things I had to read twice..like that 170 pounds ..didn’t realize I had to multiply by 3?.
Lol I was thinking 170 pounds! That cyah be right!?
Aye ppl getting murdered daily in our country, ppl missing daily in this country. ..our children are going astray!! And this shit got our attention(seriously? ) that right there is nobody business cause she didn’t object to it ( if it’s true ) if she did then it would surely be a call for concern. ..that’s just my opinion. …but ppl focus on the real frightening situation our country is in at…just saying
I read this and I am most lost. Summarize for me plz some one
Would be difficult for a pnmite to comprehend!
summary …this is bullshit
Lack of comprehension, elementary my dear Watson!
Feigning ignorance, to deny truth and sweating de government fever are pnmites traits and also being insulting when they can’t handle truth and facts! Smh!
Sean Rambarran what I said/ask have anything to do with what you are saying? You seem to be looking to pick a fight for no obvious reason. Keep yuh dotish PNM talk to yuh self. . .seems you live in a constant whirlwind of bacchanal, that a person could ask for an explanation and you jump to conclude they wanting to understand have anything do with PNM. Now that is pure dotishness. Look not me. Keep that to yuh self. It just baseless and empty.
Denial! Tut tut tut!
Jamilia we posted the photo that people are claiming was the original and ironically it is that one which was photoshopped.
But the story is more about what the Sport Minister and the communications officer appear to be doing during working hours than it is about the photo.
Thanks Wired868 for the explanation! I could not make the connection. I saw the pic first and various interpretations. I read the story and became confused.
Sorry about that that. Pay attention to the letter to the editor that they were writing.
But sorry we didn’t make it easier to follow. ?
See now this is my problem. What is it that they appear to be doing ? This is a very shitty article . To be quite frank .
I did pay attention to the letter too.
Michael there was correspondence marked “Letter to the Editor” which Darryl sent to Kate and she claimed to have edited for him to make more realistic.
I gave some excerpts from that letter. Beyond that, I’d leave it for readers to analyse and come to their own conclusions.
The internet is confusing a lot of journalists . On the internet people say what they have to say . Journalists seem to be having a crisis because of it . So you want to say , but u spend a lot of time crafting something to suggest but not say , and then you either confuse or mislead or both . An observation I have made a while now. A lot of Caribbean media houses have not transitioned well to the internet being a leading source . As more and more people get accustomed to straight talk this nonsense will be rejected in full .
That’s alright Michael boy. Of course the experts all live far away and the locals are full of nonsense. This is a land of low self-esteem and plenty self-hate.
No reader would like every story in any publication. We are fine with that.
I read this and I am most lost. Summarize this for me
Apparently there is more to this than just a hug ?
Oh and why your thread is included?
I commented on Rhoda’s post to illustrate how easy it is to manipulate a pic, because I felt the one with the hand was manipulated..
Oh thanks. I now understand
That’s the reason asked if the photo was “real”. The hand looked rather large and photoshopped for a regular photo, and I am certain that you understood what I was asking.
*reason I asked
People have been asking me about both.. so I had to be clear..
The complexion appeared lighter too
Ne touche pas
Sans the hand on bumper–was done in jest by one photographer?! That’s NO joke FOOL!! People’s Character are at STAKE in this Republic of OURS, where EVERYONE knows YOUR name! Have You Considered The Young Lady’s Reputation And What Damage You Must Have Done?!! YOU JACKASS!!!!
What chilling secret?! Firstly, the picture is not AUTHENTIC, it was PHOTOSHOPPED! Secondly, is it WRONG or UNHOLY to be attracted to someone in your ENVIRONMENT?! Truly, are WE any DIFFERENT?!! The picture was stolen and published without the parties consent AND that should be REASON enough for US to be DEEPLY Concerned!! People’s CHARACTER is SACROSANCT and MUST NOT BE MALICIOUSLY MALIGNED for CHEAP PUBLICITY!! To Think Of It, THE PICTURE IS INDEED A DAMN NICE PHOTO??
And you were there!
What a mash-up. Spoiler’s calypso, Himself told himself and Mr Big Stuff. Who do you think he is? More, who does he think he is?
Deyal, your music curation is that topper upper? lol
he has gold in his hand
Daryl “Diego Maradonna” Smith. He handles matters
Haha
Lol. We desperately need a political scandal these days. I won’t lie , I find it boring too.
I read it… it is cool.. was worried for a min cuz I was tagged in a few places.. 😀
People.doh learn.nah… if I’m a minister I eh close to no oman in no photo…no friendly kiss.. nutin…let them call meh rude and unfriendly
You people should take up a hobby or a sport or something. This shit is of interest to you? I bet N O B O D Y. E L S E I N. T H E. W H O L E. O F. T R I N I D A D. A N D. T O B A G O. think so. You people have nothing to do and a whole lot of time to do it in.
So it’s real?
Is what real?
Nothing….
It not so bad man.. but I coulda predict people would have used it.. shoulda bet money..
Yuh famous
Enlarge the photo. Unless his hand has mutated, I don’t see how it’s his….
As wrong as the photo is, shouldn’t there be some kind of sensitization training for ppl holding public office? I have seen pictures where officials hugging, kissing etc and the recipient looks uncomfortable (granted, this intimacy is not the norm). Keep in mind everyone has different concepts of personal space too. And if it’s the Minister, to whom do you complain if a situation is uncomfortable and your job entails close interaction. These are just theoretical questions.
Be interesting to see when she brings a claim of sexual harassment
*if* not so?
when/if, yes
A case can be made for many persons in positions of power and influence, the question is, if any inappropriate workplace relations take place, is it consensual? Policies need to be updated so disciplinary action can be taken against ppl who engage in such practices. When situations like that take place, they can create an uncomfortable workplace.
One thing methinks will not happen in this instance is a sexual harassment claim ??
Lol. Methinks you’re right Nicole.
Split is a good movie you people should check it out
I plan to… So no spoilers please! Lol
Could have been an accident. Optical illusion. ?
Bout more than photo though.
?
But even the “real photo” looks too cozy and intimate for “coworkers”. 0_0
Cheups
His focus should be on losing weight isnt he d minister. Of sport does he look like he is exercising or is it just his hands that is excercising
It is bumper season after all .
??
^^^^ “The hand of God!” perhaps?
Toni did you read the caption on it?
Ok then
i saw it
Ramsingh Sharma the village ram from Diego.
Darryl better step down. The shit about to get thicker.
Toni NotDauthor Morrison you just posted a photoshopped image. See photo posted higher in thread.
I don’t mind at all.
“Even Smith’s multiple personalities appear to all be obsessed with snack time.”
K, slightly offensive to innocent snack enthusiasts like myself but LOL.
Lol. I hear that.
Take win.. lmao
Lasana Liburd, sometimes, this is the only way that certain stories can be told. Good job.
If people read carefully all the same eh. Sigh.
Talk to the hand.
Melville Foster ?????
????
Melville has to write some of my headlines yes! ???
This bachannal is way ti long and drawn out and got me more confused then anything. Can someone just give me the meat and potatoes to this story.
Thank you. .
Alternative News
Aye !allyuh doh miss nothing nah, ahahahahahah. Trinis boi! and still no witnesses for crime detection eh! ahahahaha
David Steffan Huggins, Abeo Jackson and Rhoda Bharath, I hope you all don’t mind if this helps clear something up about the photo. 🙂
thanks
Only Moses had a firm grip on his Staff.All others play it by ear.
Hahaha
I knew it was fake.It only have room in a photo for MP Darryl Smith..
Hahahahahah!
Hey, the hand of Darryl is as real as the hand of Diego far as I know.
Mr Melville Foster anywhere I read your comment I go into a laughing fitz. Stop it ??
Thank You,Jamilia.
Your welcome Melville Foster
I got confused just reading this
Me tooooo
Shipping & handling
*Corporation*
He’s a one arm bandit? I saw the original photo last week with the story and rhought that was his wife..hhmm
No Smithy.
I saw this photo and a hint of this and thought that was his wife..but anyway..
I’m sensing an implosion in the not to distant future
She is fine but ….yeah that hand def needs some readjustment or maybe he thought he was resting it on a couch lol
Lol. A lot more to the true story than that though.
Is he married?
He is. But there is more than that still.
Ah. And I know his wife well. I shall not post to my wall, to prevent ‘issues’.
She has already seen this pic 100 times over Jeremy! Lol
I know eh, but I eh want her to know I see it, lol
Ummmm. Tres confused!!!! ??
Oh gorm. Sorry. What to clear up?
Is not u nah. D story make mih head spin!!
Oh. Lol