Prime Minister Gaston Browne has firmly denied allegations of corruption within his administration, stating that in his ten years in office, no credible case of corruption has been presented by the United Progressive Party (UPP).
In his regular appearance on Pointe FM, Browne made it clear his government’s focus on good governance, noting that despite accusations, the opposition has failed to provide any substantial evidence of wrongdoing.
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Browne addressed the only known case involving former government minister Asot Michael and British businessman Peter Virdee. “I removed him from my government,” Browne said, recalling that when British officials informed him of the situation, he immediately took action and fired Michael, ensuring the alleged corruption did not proceed.
He clarified that the opposition did not uncover the incident, but rather it was his administration that took proactive steps to address it.
He went on to counter claims made by UPP’s Richard Lewis regarding the rental of a building that houses the Development Control Authority.
Browne explained that the government utilized $800,000 for leasehold improvements, with half of that amount used to furnish the building and the rest for structural improvements. He said that his son, who owns the building, has not charged the government any rent for three years, despite the building occupying 10,000 to 12,000 square feet.
“Even if you use a conservative estimate of $5 per square foot, that’s $60,000 per month, or $840,000 per year,” Browne said, stressing that the government has benefited significantly from the arrangement without incurring additional rental costs.
Browne also dismissed Lewis’s claims of corruption, asserting that the leasehold improvements were for the benefit of the lessee, and there was no basis for accusations of corruption. He noted that the buildings in question are not exclusively owned by him or his family, further underscoring the transparency of the transaction.
Addressing his critics, Browne expressed frustration with the opposition’s continuous attempts to undermine his administration without evidence.
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We will find out soon, we know the reason why you got rid of Asot, it’s the opposite of why chet green is kissing your ass
absence of evidence is not evidence of absence
Be sure your SINS will FIND you out. Don’t you remember that you told your ministers to enrich Themselves.
So laying in bed with a fraudster like the Air Peace owner is not corruption,? Bringing in over a 1000 so-called refugees under the guise of ” business investors” is not corruption?
Where are all those Africans now Gatson? If it isn’t corruption, why were they allowed to pass through immigration without any vested interest in the island?
How much monies did you collect from that Air Peace debacle Gatson?
There is corruption all throughout this damn administration, and everyone knows it.
If Antigua had an ethics committee, this pompous PM would be in deep trouble..but there isn’t such, so he can run his loud mouth on public radio claiming he’s the best thing that happened to A&B since white rice.
A damn fool this man is.
Conflict of interest is corruption.
Purchasing government lands for popcorn down dredge bay and swapping it for lands several times more valuable by WIOC is corruption . It was done before the ownership of the dredge bay lands were completed remember. Isn’t this corruption sir? Purchasing the land up long bay hotel and flipping it for millions again using inside information/ knowledge. Isn’t this corruption sir….
Browne knows corruption is one of the hardest things to find evidence and we all know how currupt the judicial system can be in his own allegated words. Note the word allegated…put a d and eleminate others and get the right word.
Mr PM:
Was that property – which I undertood you to say is owned by your son and now rented to and occupied by Government – ever was advertised for sale or put to tender? How did your son knew that it was for sale? Do you think that a wide enough cross section of the public also knew that it was up for sale?
@Gatesworth James October 14, 2024 At 5:55 am
I really thought of you smarter than and eight grader. But your questioning the PM about whether the sale of a property was advertised, says a lot of your mental ability. Was the property Government Property for that to be published. Many properties exchange hands in this country daily. People in the real-estate market are the only one that know what is for sale. If you are looking for a property to buy all you need to do is contact all the real-estate agents in this country and let them know you are interested. People like Teddy Santos are your best bet.
Great observation and good points @Gatesworth James. There are many Gaston Browne supporters that want this issue and conflict of interest to disappear quietly, and swept under the carpet.
I’m so pleased as well that the Honourable Richard Lewis is still pursuing this conflict of interest through the Freedom of Information Act.
When Gaston Browne fall, it’s going to bigger than big!
However, if the Prime Minister does show the evidence and it is shown that everything was done correctly and above board through transparency, then I will apologise profusely to him; and some humble pie …
*eat some humble pie
LET THE INQUIRY BEGIN!
ANTIGUA AIRWAYS!
ANTIGUA AIRWAYS!
ANTIGUA AIRWAYS!
Chet will cut a deal with the DPP because he’s digging in to uproot Gaston. Chet ➡️🔜🔛IS COMING for your crown Gaston.
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