Bowen Threatens Legal Action to Force Disclosure of Government Records
Opposition MP Sherfield Bowen on Friday warned that he is prepared to take the government to court to force the release of public information, saying repeated refusals by state entities have left him with no other option.
Speaking during the 2026 Budget Debate, Bowen said his concerns were first triggered by what he described as a vehicle-registration controversy, after he sought information from the Transport Board about government-owned vehicles.
Bowen told Parliament he asked what he described as a “simple question” — how many vehicles owned by the government are registered with the Transport Board — but was informed that the information could not be provided.
“I don’t think we can give you that information,” Bowen said he was told.
He said the refusal raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability, particularly where public assets and public funds are involved. Bowen argued that elected representatives should not be blocked from accessing basic records related to government property.
Bowen said the Transport Board matter was not an isolated case. He told lawmakers that he has repeatedly requested financial and administrative data from government record-holding entities without success.
He referred specifically to Social Security, saying that several years ago he was able to obtain data from the institution and use it to analyse government finances. However, he said that since then, requests for updated information have gone unanswered.
“Ever since I did that, no matter how many times I request the data, not even an answer,” Bowen said.
Because of the continued lack of cooperation, Bowen said he would now pursue legal remedies. He told Parliament he intends to seek writs of mandamus, court orders that compel public officials to perform their legal duties.
“I will have to resort to the courts,” Bowen said, adding that he plans to seek legal orders against the Transport Board and against what he described as the keeper and custodian of the government records, to compel the release of information to the public.
Bowen said the issue goes beyond politics, arguing that transparency is fundamental to democratic governance. He said public institutions have a duty to provide information, particularly when it relates to state-owned assets, public spending and national finances.
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What has this government got to hide?
In recent times we’ve heard Prime Minister Browne talking about transparency in the future, when the public (forget about opposition representatives requests) want accountability and transparency now.
No ifs, buts or maybes.
An independent investigation into the vehicle acquisitions procurement scandal is now long overdue, and more importantly, it would stop the country and people like me from being suspicious about the perceived internal shenanigans of the ABLP.
When I worked for a major company in Europe, I was a troubleshooter investigating many internal fraudulent practices by staff – and I was very good at my job.
I knew the company’s procedures and documentation. All I needed was a couple of days to know if the company guidelines were being followed; and if they were not there was going to be hell to pay.
The main characters were obviously sacked and in the odd cases the police were informed. Simple really!
So whenever I hear of a public official or company representative denying any sort of independent investigation, my ears naturally pickup and my gut feelings kicks in.
This whole issue could be resolved by an independent investigation. The Prime Minister knows it, Maria Bird-Browne knows it, the Members of the ABLP Cabinet knows it; even the ABLP supporters know it; but most importantly the hardworking taxpaying citizens know it as well.
We need MATA immediately.
Let’s Make Antigua Transparent Again
UPP needs to keep this man locked away (pun intended). Certain topics he is not supposed to speak on.