Bowen: DPP, Police, and Integrity Commission All Have Power to Act in Vehicle Probe

St. Philip South MP and attorney Sherfield Bowen says the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the police, and the Integrity Commission each have the authority and obligation to investigate the alleged multimillion-dollar government vehicle scandal, urging them to act without delay.

Speaking at the United Progressive Party’s “Vehicle Gate” town hall on October 21, Bowen said there is no legal or constitutional barrier preventing any of the three institutions from launching inquiries into what has been described as one of the country’s largest corruption allegations.

“The police can act, the DPP can act, and the Integrity Commission can act,” Bowen declared, stressing that all have clear statutory powers to initiate investigations independently of political influence. He argued that the evidence already in the public domain is sufficient to justify immediate action.

“So long as [the DPP] has enough information that would guide him to the need to continue and to mount the investigation, he should begin,” Bowen said. “At this very moment… there is enough information in the public domain that will cause him to get on his horse and get people, hire forensic accountants, whatever he needs to do.”

Bowen also pointed out that the police are legally mandated to investigate suspected offenses, while the Integrity Commission has jurisdiction to probe matters involving public officials and possible corruption. He argued that inaction by any of these bodies would raise serious questions about accountability and institutional integrity.

The forum, which included contributions from former senior civil servants and retired law enforcement officers, focused on what speakers called systemic weaknesses in government oversight and financial management. Attendees called for full transparency and for independent agencies to move swiftly to restore public trust.

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