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
Ok PeeeeeeeeeM.
You are satisfied that a commission of inquiry has no legal weight.
Then do the next thing that has legal weight.
Make a report to the police and allow them to investigate without interference.
You are a smart man.
You know that the police cannot act without a report being made to them.
You also know that none of ministers dare to bypass you and make a report.
Well do it.
Maria can’t do it.
Chet love his ministerial port folio.
He not dare make his eye pass you.
The only one who can turn on the police’s engine to investigate this is you
MAKE A REPORT TO THE POLICE.
THat has legal weight.
It will not name and shame anyone.
Mr. Pompey, help me here please.
It is my understanding that a public enquiry is a formal investigation set up by a government in response to A MAJOR FAILURE OR FAILURES IN SYSTEMS OR SERVICES THAT HAVE SHAKEN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC CONCERN.
It is my further understanding that at the end of a public inquiry, A FINAL REPORT CONTAINING FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATIONS IS PUBLISHED.
While the inquiry cannot determine criminal or civil liability, ITS FINDINGS CAN LEAD TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. THE GOVERNMENT IS THEN EXPECTED TO RESPOND TO THE REPORT.
Is my understanding correct Mr. Pompey?
I have not seen the part about a public enquiry is a ‘name and shame exercise’ so I am sure if I missed it. Enlighten me here Mr. Pompey?
Do something similar to what was done in the IHI matter and then turn the report over to the DPP and the police CID. By the it was good to hear you say that the individuals implicated in the IHI investigations were in fact guilty….yet your government knighted two …made one a national hero.
Finally Sir Viv is free to call for a inquiry…he has earned that right. The vehicle gate scandal is not a political issue..it’s not politics. Keep your hands off WTP …you think it’s them alone that harbour political prostitutes
I never thought of you as an educated dunce but you are beginning to sound like one Gaston. Want to be autocrat. Do the right thing and stopped trying to fool people and justify all these wrong doings. Stop it!!!
This damn hypocrite is something else.
Isn’t it the same thing he did, when he try to name and shame Viv for calling for a inquiry?
It’s good to name and shame people when they simply exercise their right to an opinion, but when people actually broke the law and stole the peoples money, no name and shame is needed?
Just stay off Viv you jack donkey PM, even though in my opinion you are no PM, because you’re actually no leader of people in that esteem capacity you hold.
You are just a scourge to Antigua!
I don’t understand why the PM is saying he doesn’t want to name and shame. So only Mr.Harney he hate so much that he can all his name several times. Then yesterday he went to talk about Viv having financial problems and the government bailed him out. Well it is tax payers money he is receiving and we are in perfect agreement with him getting, 8,000.00 monthly, a Vechicle and free utilities. He is our national hero and deserves nothing less. So you trying to name and shame him will be held against you. Luther and Blinds hope you are taking note of this.
The comptroller name was also called and the treasury department was implicated.
So at least get an independent forensic accounting company and get the facts. Then next issue is the public accounting records. All the statuary bodies, all the government ministers.
Where there are individuals that are collecting money, like treasury workers and custom officers, we need to get to the bottom of their corruption as well. We have people working for 3 thousand dollars per month and less and living like millionaires and billionaires. You need to have at least a full internal accounting investigation. Then from that you can make informed decisions Hon. Prime minister.
Finally- The less you have to say about our Viv, the longer your political life will last.
Gaston who built his political career on NAME & SHAMING people who oppose him is against those who stole from the people to be left in the dark. As we all know when you spit in the air it will fall back down on you! Karma has you cornered.
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