Spencer Addresses Tamo’s Absence

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Politics

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 02:30

By Everton Barnes

Antigua St. John’s - Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has broken his silence on the extended absence from the country of government Senator Elmore “Tamo” Charles, by telling the country that the matter would be resolved by the end of the month.

In an Observer Radio interview, Spencer said Charles, whose absence has extended to more than a year, has been in contact with the relevant authorities, notably the President of the Senate and the Clerk of Parliament, informing them of his absence from the state.

“The matter of his absence has been the subject of much discussion over time. The reality is that the member has from time to time been in touch with the President of the Senate and the Clerk of Parliament. It is not the most comfortable position to be in, but there has been a measure of an explanation. As far as I am aware, this matter is going to be addressed by mid-July. No, let me be much clearer, it would not extend beyond the end this month,” he said.

Spencer declined to discuss allegations that Charles has been experiencing serious financial difficulties, stating that the matter may have been overblown in the media.

On the question of whether or not Charles’ supposed financial difficulties would render him ineligible to be a candidate for the United Progressive Party (UPP) leading up to the next general elections, Spencer said he is not sure that these issues have reached the level that would disqualify the senator.

The Prime Minister noted that the candidate issue is an on-going process in the UPP and that no decision has been made one way or another.

“There’s no firm decision on just who the candidates will be and where they will carry the UPP-banner. This has to do with party strategies and what are the best options for the party in certain areas,” he noted.

However, Caribarena.com understands that while Senator Charles has written several letters to the President of the Senate and the Clerk of Parliament indicating that he was seeking medical attention in the United States, none of these letters has been accompanied by a medical certificate from a doctor as is required by the Antigua & Barbuda Labour Code.

Finance Minister Harold Lovell recently confirmed that Senator Charles is still being paid every month despite his extended absence.

Charles’ financial woes include the fact that, to date, his Clock Tower Mall, a centrepiece of the UPP’s 2009 election campaign, remains unoccupied and has been placed on the auctioneer’s block by a local bank.

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