Former Prime Minister Dr. Winston Baldwin Spencer has joined the call for an independent investigation into the vehicle procurement and distribution scandal at the Ministry of Works, denouncing what he described as “hypocrisy” by Prime Minister Gaston Browne for resisting a public inquiry while targeting opposition figures for lesser issues.
Speaking on the picket line outside the Ministry of Works, Dr. Spencer said he is “totally and completely in favor” of the United Progressive Party’s (UPP) demand for an impartial investigation to “get to the root of the matter” and restore public confidence.
“It is important enough for us to want to see that this happens,” Spencer said. “The nation of Antigua and Barbuda is really down the pits with all these things happening.” He argued that the inquiry should be conducted “through a proper process” free from political interference.
Dr. Spencer took aim at Prime Minister Browne’s claim that an inquiry would amount to a “name and shame exercise,” noting that the Prime Minister had previously pursued legal action against three former ministers over the community use of government vehicles. “The Prime Minister recognizes the gravity of the situation and the fact that he and his wife are implicated,” Spencer said. “It’s a question of not wanting to go the route of a public inquiry because of that connection”.
He described the UPP’s call for an independent investigation as “based on real justice,” adding that “whoever is culpable in this case will face whatever they have to face.”
The former Prime Minister also criticized Browne’s recent remarks about national hero Sir Vivian Richards, calling them “most unfortunate.” Browne reportedly dismissed Richards’s call for accountability in the scandal. “It was most unfortunate to hear the Prime Minister speaking in those terms with respect to Sir Vivian,” Spencer said. “He is respected worldwide as one of the chief architects of sports in the world — not only a hero for Antigua and Barbuda, but for the entire Caribbean”.
Dr. Spencer’s remarks came as opposition members, including UPP Leader Jamale Pringle, staged a picket outside the Ministry of Works demanding an independent investigation into the alleged misuse of government resources.
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Former PM Spencer please go take a seat and rest yourself and don’t allow UPP to embarrass you anymore like how they did when they nominate you for Speaker of the House, and then none of the UPP MPs voted for you.
UPP had scandal after scandal, and you as the then PM don’t have no investigation or inquiry.
well said. JOHN ASHE exposed this Cooks Pond Water hypocrite right before he died. Accepting BRIBE MONIES and the like.
SMH…..Please go plant something in your back yard and relax yaself….Jus like Nuffied Burnette and his issues with Police when u were there u shhhhhhh….Now u na dey u wah BLA BLA BLA!!!!
KILL THE LIE
“NOTING THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HAD PREVIOUSLY PERSUED LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THREE FORMER MINISTERS OVER THE COMMUNITY USE OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES”
YOU HEAR LIE?
The truth is it was the former Minister of Education that persue that case against tge objection of the Prime Minister.
STOP THE LIES.
Regardless, of what the UPP did or did not do is not the issue at hand. Ignorance, of the law is no excuse.
To those #who’re now comparing UPP’s past acts, deeds to what has transpired with the scandals and admittance of corruption by those in authority regarding the #vehicle_gate are not serious about curtailing corruption in the Public sector.
Because someone committed a crime and never got caught, does not mean that the same applies to those who get caught red handed.
By the way, the ABLP did go after several UPP Members in court. D. Gisellle Issac with the BOE case, the trial of Lovell, Daniel and Quinn for the hand me down buses. So yes UPP Members have being dragged before the Courts, therefore, why the hypocrisy now? Best ASSumption is, plenty buttered bread will become dry and molded.
Bawlwin Spencer can take and should take some responsibility for the continued practices of corruption in the public sector when his CABINET decided to withhold the findings of the IHI – LINDQUIST INQUIRY. Again, regardless, those cases have nothing to do with the current #vehicle_gate, unless during proper COLD CASE investigations which may have bearing on this present scandal are linked somehow.
It would be interesting, if Asot was around up share his insights into these corrupt practices. Asot had to have left (just my ASSumption) some form of documentation – video, audio, paper trail etc with some Soap Opera Scripts).
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
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