When citizens expose wrongdoing in public procurement, the appropriate democratic response is not partisan insult but sober legal inquiry. Yet, E.P. Chet Greene’s recent article, “UPP’s Politically Motivated Memo Aimed at Undermining Anti-Corruption Reforms Unmasked”, published in Antigua News Room (22 October 2025), replaces reasoned argument with political theatre.
Greene’s essay applauds Prime Minister Gaston Browne for “leadership” in addressing what he calls “procurement irregularities.” However, Antigua & Barbuda’s law requires more than rhetorical courage; it requires independence, prosecution, and evidence preservation. When the head of government, his wife, his associates and his party donors are entangled in the very procurement network under investigation, the law demands recusal; not self-congratulation.
1. The “Political” Smear
Greene labels the United Progressive Party’s memorandum to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) “politically motivated.” Yet, the document, grounded in the Prevention of Corruption Act 2004, the Proceeds of Crime Act 1993, and Article 86 of the Constitution, applies the legal elements of corruption, conspiracy, and misconduct in public office to the Prime Minister’s own parliamentary admissions. Political convenience does not erase statutory duty. The referral is a lawful act of civic responsibility, not political sabotage.
2. Admissions by Any Other Name
Greene claims the Prime Minister’s words were not a “confession.” However, by publicly acknowledging “inflated invoices”, “systemic collusion”, and a nexus between vendors and campaign contributors, the Prime Minister established the probable cause required under Antiguan criminal procedure to trigger a DPP-led investigation.
Whether labelled a “confession” or an “admission,” the legal consequence is identical: the statements create a basis for inquiry independent of executive control.
3. Leadership Is Not a Legal Shield
Greene’s core argument that we are witnessing “..leadership; not complicity”, betrays a misunderstanding of constitutional accountability. Under Article 86, the DPP alone has power to initiate and undertake criminal proceedings, and “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”
A Prime Minister cannot investigate a matter in which he, his associates, or donors may become defendants. Leadership, in such circumstances, means stepping aside to protect the independence of the process.
4. Internal Review ≠ Independent Investigation
Greene praises the Prime Minister for initiating an internal review and releasing findings. Yet internal reviews are administrative mechanisms, not criminal processes. They lack the legal powers to subpoena bank records, seize assets, or compel testimony under oath.
Only a judicially supervised forensic audit and DPP-led investigation can satisfy the evidentiary requirements of the Criminal Code and the Proceeds of Crime Act. Internal committees cannot prosecute corruption; they can only describe it.
5. “Negotiated Discounts” Are Not Justice
Greene calls the Prime Minister’s negotiations with suppliers “a masterstroke of pragmatic justice.” On the contrary, such side-room settlements risk violating sections 3–5 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which prohibit public officials from “obtaining advantage” or “interfering with the due course of justice.”
Negotiated “refunds” substitute political discretion for the rule of law and may amount to compounding a felony, the very obstruction that anti-corruption statutes exist to prevent.
6. Fear of “Economic Chaos” Is No Legal Defense
Greene warns that a “wholesale prosecution” would criminalize many business people and civil servants. But justice is not chaos; it is accountability. The memorandum does not advocate indiscriminate prosecution but targeted investigation based on evidence.
To claim that “..enforcing the law would harm the economy..” is to invert the rule of law. Corruption, not accountability, is what truly bankrupts nations.
7. Public Statements Do Not Erase Conflicts of Interest
Greene insists that the Prime Minister’s transparency “demolishes” the claim of a cover-up. Transparency, however, is not immunity. A cover-up may consist of evidence suppression, selective disclosure, or negotiating restitution without criminal charges.
When the same executive accused of negligence leads the investigation, no amount of televised candour cures the conflict. Independence, not oratory, is the guarantor of integrity.
8. True Reform Requires Legal Process
Greene closes with triumphant optimism: “The era of impunity is over.” But the era of impunity will end only when the DPP exercises the powers Parliament entrusted to that office to appoint an independent special prosecutor, seek preservation orders, and launch a criminal investigation into VehicleGate.
Until that happens, proclamations of reform are hollow words echoing in a chamber of self-interest.
Conclusion
VehicleGate is not a political quarrel; it is a constitutional test. The Prime Minister’s attempt to manage the scandal from within the executive branch violates the separation of powers, the independence of the DPP, and the plain meaning of Antigua & Barbuda’s anti-corruption statutes.
Chet Greene’s defense of this impropriety, however well-intentioned, confuses loyalty with legality. True leadership now lies not in defending the Prime Minister’s posture but in defending the institutions that keep him and every future leader accountable.
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Who on earth wrote this? A brilliant human being he or she is. It was done superbly, the mentioned the issues (I), the rules (R), you analyze the facts and law (R) and you concluded (C). This was brilliantly done. I am 100% sure an attorney wrote this.
The appearance of justice is vitally important and no person who can reasonably be concluded to committed a wrong in a matter should be allowed to investigate or be in charge of any investigation of such matter. It is just morally, legally and ethically wrong.
The second R is supposed to be an A. Acronym IRAC, the manner we must brief a case or analyze a legal matter. So it was an error to wrote IRRC, is should be IRAC. Please pardon my numerous typographical errors, I mainly use my phone while multitasking.
My way of Helping do you recognize the writing style of the Scarlett Pimpernel? ([email protected]). You are right …IRAC … Issue … Rule (Law) … Application … Conclusión
Totally agree with this author.
In the meantime, Antiguans, a DAY OF RECKONING is coming. Trust me.
I will not participate in any march, no discussion going forward. I am tired.
CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE IS THE ONLY OPTION.
Block roads, block the airport and seaport. Disrupt business activity, yes I will suffer but sacrifices must be made.
For the sake of votes, corruption is ok. What are we teaching our children.
Antigua my heart aches for you.
Brilliant piece indeed.
I’m not giving these people a pass, but I really do believe that they really don’t know if they are even committing a crime.
Why? We are creatures of habits, and habits become a very serious part of our character, so, many times you are doing something without thinking about it, because you have the habit of doing things a certain way.
This man GB has developed some dirty habits that have been unchecked for years..no one ever challenged him or questions his actions, so he just go about as if whatever he says or do is correct. (The norm)
Mark of a narcissist.
And if one looks up the the meaning of the ” Dunning Kruger Effect” they will see that many in this administration suffers from that very syndrome.
So I’m not giving this man a pass, but these are the results of actions of these kinds of people, they invariably creates havoc anywhere they go, and this so happens to be on a massive level and in the highest office of government.
I am not a lawyer, but one thing I know is the psychology of humans and how they become who they are. You are who you are, and these actions by this PM are actions of a narcissist.
Hitler was the same, the Trump man is the same. This man mirrors these leaders perfectly. ” The Dunning Kruger Effect”.
Letter of the week by a country mile. Bravo 👏🏾
Chet ‘The Master of Ceremonies’ Green is so disingenuous towards the opposition party in regards to reforming how fraudulent practices are conducted.
The majority of ABLP Cabinet Members are now trying to deflect their own severe incompetence over the vehicle acquisitions procurement onto the UPP. Utter devilish ba%ta*ds.
They are playing nasty political games on all of us
Again, the vast majority of Antiguans are not fooled by what they are currently up to. The ABLP need to be renamed the “Fetid Party”.
Sounds about right to me …
We need a preponderance of such letters as written here.
To bad Antigua and Barbuda is a country where the writter can not identify him or herself; enabling us to give that person a bow of job well done.
Now is the time for others to reinforce what’s written in this opinion piece. To long many have hidden in the wood works or behind the curtain.
To turn the tide requires more good people making a difference with sound arguments.
This is not the time to wilt and acquiesce.
This is the time to turn up the heat
Chet Green knows better and would be in agreement with the letter writer if Vehiclegate happened under the UPP administration. I always thought Chet was made of sterner stuff, I am really disappointed in him genuflecting like that, this cannot just be about saving his position as Foreign Minister. Always took you for a man and not a Cabinet Mouse
Further to all of this the PM now decides to revenge of every single resident of Antigua and Barbuda for the gross incompetence and mismanagement by his administration.
Don’t tell me that 15million dollars is missing from the government coffers and it’s not even known. So why budget.
The same ministry is bleeding the treasury and our tax dollars by having scores of heavy duty equipment, rented/ hired and are parked most of the time and still getting paid.
Same with those that are owed by the government . They spend more time on private jobs. Worst yet the government is providing fuel for these equipment. I saw this with my own two eyes. After receiving fuel on a government project, the Truck took off and never returned until after. Both the site supervisor and the fuel supplier were part of the scam. So these equipment are getting paid by government, they are getting fuel , they leave and go to work on other jobs.
The government is doing a very poor job of managing its resources.
I don’t think none of the directors of the ministry of works have handled the management of the resources properly. So when I hear one should be an engineer to qualify for the director I find it difficult. If that is the case the director should not be involved in administrative matters but construction.