PM Spencer Hits Back at Desperate Opposition

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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