Director of Communications Maurice Merchant has defended Public Works Minister Maria Bird Browne, describing the criticism against her as “unwarranted” and politically driven.
Speaking at Thursday’s Cabinet press briefing, Merchant said Bird Browne was being unfairly targeted after exposing alleged irregularities in the sale of government vehicles — the issue now known as “Vehicle-Gate.”
“The whistleblower has become the one under attack,” he said, insisting the minister revealed the questionable transactions rather than participated in them.
Opposition figures and civic groups continue to demand an independent inquiry, alleging the mismanagement of nearly 100 government vehicles.
The Cabinet has rejected those calls, with Merchant stating that the government’s focus is on recovering funds from dealerships involved, not on what he called “name and shame” politics.
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This is an example of “insidious forces” using local government to “advance divisive agendas.” and weaponized incompetence.
This is not about mismanagement and about public thief.
This was carried out by a network of people in and out of Government.
When allies of Government are caught red handed; it’s always we don’t want to Name and Shame.
That the way the economic powerhouse moves
The car dealers are not the only ones involved.
What is being done to find out who are each and everyone involved?
What if don’t understand if it was a ordinary person that person or persons name would be blasted on all news and would be facing jail time if you do something that is not legal you must face the punishment and stop sweap in under the bus if you dont have nothing to worry about just have the investigation done
This is about taking responsibility for the things that happened under Maria’s watch. Maria is the Minister in charge of the Ministry and is ultimately responsible for the actions taken in her ministry. She is the boss. If things go bad and sideways under her watch, how is she not responsible? Someone needs to take responsibility and it seems that she is ducking it.
One car dealership is taking the brunt of all of this, when the kings of corruption is hardly mentioned as if they are untouchable by the government. They split the information to Marie and the government blew it open. Now the real crooks watch. How much heavy duty equipment they bought and garbage trucks Maria order with no cabinet decision. But they are the kings of corruption and can’t be touched. Antigua is not for the black man…