Browne outlines full scope of Vehicle Gate scandal and reforms to prevent future abuses.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has strongly rejected opposition calls for a commission of inquiry into the Vehicle Gate scandal, arguing that such a move would carry no legal authority and serve only to “name and shame” individuals, many of whom may have been unknowingly involved.
Speaking extensively on his Browne and Browne radio programme, Browne said a commission “cannot be used in a court of law” and would do nothing to recover the public funds lost through the improper granting of duty waivers. “It would simply be a name and shame exercise,” he said, emphasizing that his administration’s goal is restitution and reform, not political theatre.
Browne explained that the issue stemmed from dealers who, over the past two years, bypassed established procedures by obtaining approvals from an unauthorized official, identified as BADU, to grant illegal duty-free concessions. He noted that some beneficiaries—ranging from lawyers and doctors to ordinary citizens—were unaware that their exemptions were illegitimate.
“Some innocent people went to these dealers and were told they had an arrangement with the government,” Browne said. “They believed it to be true. Others paid $5,000 or $10,000 to get everything off. That is why restitution is the appropriate route—it targets those who profited unfairly, not those misled by others.”
The Prime Minister said the government had already intervened after the Customs Department discovered the irregularities and had ordered the return of excess vehicles, as well as the recovery of unpaid duties from the dealers. “Those who benefited will be required to make restitution. That’s the lawful and responsible approach,” Browne stated.
He dismissed the opposition’s push for an inquiry as “cheap politics” designed to mislead the public and smear senior government officials. “You go to a commission of inquiry, and you get back none,” he said. “All it would do is embarrass people, including those who are innocent. Restitution ensures accountability and protects the integrity of the process.”
Browne also defended himself and Minister Maria Browne against allegations of involvement, saying neither had any role in the duty waiver approvals. He reiterated that the vehicle procurement policy had been tightened under his administration, requiring Cabinet authorization for all government purchases.
“This administration stands on good governance,” Browne said. “We are acting within the law to recover what is owed to the state, not to grandstand or sensationalize. The commission they are calling for would be legally toothless and achieve nothing.”
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Name and shame may be the deterrent and punishment needed.
Do you all see the kind of PM we have. He claims to be interested in rooting out corruption, however he is afraid to name and shame. It is the name and shame that will prevent others from engaging in this type of behavior in the future. For all we know, he himself has been spoken to and is being influenced by these individuals who profited. Antiguans, I hope we are all watching so we can vote the right way come election time!!!!
You work for us, you are not our boss. We are the bosses, you might control your Cabinet but not the people of Antigua and Barbuda, time you get through that bald head of yours
Why was the former comptroller of customs on his return allowed to use the VIP lounge at the airport with full uniform police escort? Paid for by tax payers money. Is this how a government rewards the chief architect of the vehicle gate scandal? LORD know what would have happened if I was on duty at the airport
If u willing to prevent name an shame that means only certain ppl will be hold responsible when the others involved would go free an will continue to do the same in the future, it’s not fair for some to pay restitution when the rest involved so free, does that means those in name an shame is Bieng protected or they might spill out those we think an kno in higher places,?
ANR, I just had to come back again, but shouldn’t it be the people who decide what we want as far VEHICLE GATE is concerned. We gave a bunch of people a job and all of a sudden they want to dictate to us this is not democracy at all. This is how Russia is run under Putin an now American under Trump