Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer on Sunday accused members of the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) pressing for fresh elections in a desperate bid to skirt prosecution for crimes they allegedly committed while in office.
Spencer singled out Opposition Leader Lester Bird and five former government ministers over whose heads legal action hangs for alleged wrong doing.
The ALP has been clamouring for the Spencer-led United Progressive Party (UPP) administration to demit office following a recent court ruling that deemed the election of the Prime Minister and two government legislators to be invalid.
Last Thursday, the opposition party drew thousands of its supporters onto the streets of St John’s for a “black march” to “mourn the death of the economy”. Although the march was planned before the March 31 judgement handed down by Justice Louise Blenman, the ALP used the occasion to brand the government as illegitimate and press for fresh elections.
But Spencer, in a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening, dismissed the opposition’s actions as “power hungry”, especially since the government has been granted a stay on the ruling and is appealing the matter.
“These people are not only hungry, but they are drunk on the whole question of power, and would seek to take power in Antigua and Barbuda by any means necessary,” he said.
During his 20-minute address, the Prime Minister accused Bird and other members of the opposition party misleading supporters for selfish reasons.
“The actions of the ALP and its leadership have nothing to do with the interest of Antigua and Barbuda and its people.
“They are desperate to get back the reigns of government to again plunder the national treasury like they did before. They want to get back in to save themselves from prosecution, which the State has started against them, and which they are using legal gymnastics to avoid,” Spencer added.
The Prime Minister outlined legal proceedings taken against ALP Chairman and Deputy Leader Gaston Browne, in which the court ruled that the transaction of three acres of land to Browne during his time as a minister was null and void and that the deed be returned to the government. That matter is the subject of an appeal.
Additionally, he noted that the court dismissed a claim by Asot Michael, an ALP parliamentarian, that a police search of his property was illegal. The search stemmed from Michael’s alleged involvement in the fraudulent transfer of tax funds was illegal. Spencer said documents seized during the operation were used in a civil action and a Commission of Inquiry.
Spencer said further that a trial date was being awaited for the case in which Bird, Michael and others are accused of conducting fraudulent transactions prior to the ALP being voted out of office in 2004.
He said a trial date was also to be determined in a matter involving Bird and two former ministers -- Robin Yearwood and Hugh Marshall -- over the purchase of beachfront Crown lands.
The other court-related matter raised by the Prime Minister involved Stedroy “Cutie” Benjamin in relation to fraudulent passport applications that were certified by the ALP parliamentarian. Two other persons involved have been found guilty by the court, but Benjamin has appealed the ruling that the Police Commissioner had full legal authority to institute criminal proceedings.
“We believe that justice might be delayed but justice will not be denied. The process is slow but I believe it is sure, and the leaders of the Labour Party will be brought to justice for the corruption and criminal abuse that marked their reign as the government for 28 years,” Spencer told his television audience.
“In all the confusion they are now creating, their real concern is not the interest of the people of Antigua and Barbuda. They know what is hanging over their heads. They want to stop every effort that the UPP government is making to ensure that justice is done. They are trying to save their skins by seeking fair or foul means to get back in power and cover their tracks.
“That is what they are about and they must not be allowed to succeed. As sure as night follows day, no matter how long it takes, justice will be done,” the Prime Minister assured.
Spencer also said his government has appealed the High Court decision in keeping with the provisions of the country’s constitution.
“In accordance with the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda, the UPP continues to duly form the government and I continue to preside as your Prime Minister. No amount of political posturing and uncivilised behaviour by a rowdy minority can change that fact …
“By taking to the streets and inciting violence and disorder in their utterances, the ALP is openly and without shame, defying the established legal system and is making a mockery of the Constitution they helped to craft and swore to obey,” he added.
Meantime, the Prime Minister said the government would move swiftly to address deficiencies in the electoral system that were highlighted in the judge’s ruling. Justice Blenman pointed to a number of polling day irregularities at the 2009 general election, including the late start of voting in the affected constituencies and the use of a photo list.
“Cabinet will be giving serious consideration to measures required to improve the system, including the possibility of a complete system of voter re-registration. The human resource and financing needs of the system must also be addressed as a matter of urgency,” he said.
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written by Sh**ly G, April 13, 2010
This must definitely be one of the most Pathetic& desperate babbling by any Politician,more so a PM,IS THIS MAN FOR REAL? after having the reins of Govt for five full yrs,this arrogant dxxxxy have decided to come back to the people with the exact same dose of medicine he dispensed in 2004, come on SIr,there must be better than this that you can do, you would have been better off not saying anything,it is better to be taught a fool,than to open your mouth and be proven one,You are clearly trying to fit into a shoe that cant fit,leave it alone,it will only cause you tremendous pain..
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written by Pellucid, April 13, 2010
Two Kids have died, and animals are dropping dead across the so-called country. Yet the ALP and UPP are still playing their silly Antiguan games.
Hopefully the boats will stay away and not subject their crews and pa*sengers to whatever disease, germs or viruses are peculating on Antigua now.
Hopefully the boats will stay away and not subject their crews and pa*sengers to whatever disease, germs or viruses are peculating on Antigua now.
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written by True, April 12, 2010
The fact of the matter is, the ALP still cannot comprehend that after the people elected a UPP governmenton on March 12, 2009, The ALP government would have to wait another five years for another chance. Well, just face reality and wait for another five years. That's all. Other opposing parties have waited when ALP formed the government. COME ON, give the UPP a chance to govern and if you have anything constructive to contribute for the sake of the country, please do so from your heart. Daily marching, picketing and shouting will not bring down the government but the country. Have some pride. Remember, Tourism is our main industry... FIVE MORE YEARS......
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written by Cool Ruler, April 12, 2010
What is so amazing about Gerald Watts denial of the voters list being contaminated is the fact that he also admitted that persons were illegally added to the list with a simple receipt from the immigrations department which he later found out to be wrong in law. These same persons are still on the list and were never taken off. So how can the list be clean? Give me a break.
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written by Cool Ruler, April 12, 2010
At least I have never heard the ALP mafia leaders come to the nation and admit they made any mistakes or did anything wrong. Instead they use legal gymnastics to avoid going to 1735 and people want to blame the government for them not being made to pay for their sins
You are the same ones that would shout to high heavens how the government is interfering with the judiciary should they even attempt such.
You are the same ones that would shout to high heavens how the government is interfering with the judiciary should they even attempt such.
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written by Cool Ruler, April 12, 2010
Has a fisherman ever tell you that their fish is stink, do you expect Uncle Gerry to say the whole thing stinks to high heaven?
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written by Cleo, April 12, 2010
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission has made it loudly clear that there are no flaws in the voters' list that was used at the last general elections. Any attempt to delay any election because of a perception by the PM and his supporters that this List is flawed will not be seen by the people of Antigua and Barbuda as a desperate move by the UPP to usurp the democratic process in our country and as a violation of the constitutional rights of many of us to vote in this country. The attempt to tamper with the election list without any legal justification will meet ma*sive protest by those of us who treasure our democratic freedom dearly.
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written by Zanzi, April 12, 2010
It must be noted that the Chairman of the electoral commission, a UPP appointee has clearly stated that there is absolutely nothing wrong or illegal about the current voters list. Any attempt by the PM and his advisors to delay any elections on the premise that there is a need for a new voters list would be seen as an attempt to deny the people of Antigua and Barbuda of their constitutional right to vote and a serious enditement of the democratic process here in Antigua and Barbuda.This will not be accepted by the people.
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written by fnpsr, April 12, 2010
One piece of important information that was lacking in the article was the statement made by the PM about the Lindquist report. Here is what the PM said, "the Lindquist Report details the fraudulent transaction and traces the various overseas bank accounts into which were deposited the excess funds (after paying the monthly loan installments due to IHI)." This Lindquist report has been a hot topic issue for the past few weeks and yet the writer ignored its significance. Many people have been calling for its release and yet the PM is using its contents for political gamesmanship without releasing the report.
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written by Speaking for the PM , April 12, 2010
The single most important issue in Antigua and Barbuda is how can people put food on their tables, keep their homes from being taken over by the banks, and find jobs that will help them pay mounting bills. Could you believe that the PM's advisors have made him once again irrelevant by writing a speech that promises to luck up the ALP? Which planet is this man living on? Talking about justice, the PM needs to luck up members of his administration who Daniel accuse of alleged corruption and bubol.
When is the UPP going to a*sume leadership responsibility and deliver on the needs of the people as opposed to blaming the ALP for the UPP's own incompetence? This is shameless barefaceness. Trust me, I predict that the UPP will fail at the polls whether byelections or general elections not because of the promises of the ALP but because of the continued failures of Spencer's leadership.
Promises of justice is not justice achieved. To renew faith in the UPP is not for the government to simply apologise for past wrongs but continue to behave the same foolish way. Prediction, clean or dirty list, the UPP is deaD
When is the UPP going to a*sume leadership responsibility and deliver on the needs of the people as opposed to blaming the ALP for the UPP's own incompetence? This is shameless barefaceness. Trust me, I predict that the UPP will fail at the polls whether byelections or general elections not because of the promises of the ALP but because of the continued failures of Spencer's leadership.
Promises of justice is not justice achieved. To renew faith in the UPP is not for the government to simply apologise for past wrongs but continue to behave the same foolish way. Prediction, clean or dirty list, the UPP is deaD
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written by Cool Ruler, April 12, 2010
For your information the highest court in the land is the privy council and in the case of elections the eastern caribbean suppream court.
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written by Sick and tired, April 12, 2010
When will you the so called "media" do your jobs and hold these politicians accountable? Why do you simply regurgitate whatever these so called "leaders" give you?
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written by Sick and tired, April 12, 2010
I'm sorry Mr. PM. But you're a little pathetic now. I and many others bought this story before. Not anymore. Its time that you and your colleagues answer the many questions that surround "your" government. We pa*sed our own verdict on the ALP regime since 2004. But it seems your obsession with your years in opposition will ultimately lead to our verdict on "your" UPP administration. We're sick and tired of you blaming everything including the price of saltfish on the "past administration".
The highest court in the land spoke. Show some decency and for goodness sake show some leadership. Allow the law to be paramount. Show that you are better than those you characterize as "uncivilised" and "hungry" for power. It is you that speak of "Justice." We can see therefore that you speak with forked tongue.
Regards,
Sick and Tired.
The highest court in the land spoke. Show some decency and for goodness sake show some leadership. Allow the law to be paramount. Show that you are better than those you characterize as "uncivilised" and "hungry" for power. It is you that speak of "Justice." We can see therefore that you speak with forked tongue.
Regards,
Sick and Tired.
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