The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is calling for the firing of Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw.
Bradshaw who is also the Minister of Transport and Works, is being accused of running afoul of the very Integrity in Public Life Legislation, which she piloted in Parliament earlier this year.
The issue revolves around a personal cheque made payable to Bradshaw for $7500, by order of Errol Clarke Associates, which was subsequently stolen and attempted to be cashed by Tyrone St Elmo Holford, 58, at RBC Royal Bank. Bradshaw has since issued a statement making it clear that there was no impropriety on her part and that she was offended at any such insinuation as the cheque was a charitable contribution to her annual Christmas hamper and food voucher programme.
However, during a press conference held at the DLP’s George Street headquarters, President, Dr Ronnie Yearwood said that it matters not what the money was for, only that the sum was well beyond the allowable amount that one could personally receive as a “gift” without declaring it to the Integrity Commission. He also contended that an investigation should be launched to determine if the private entity in question holds any contracts under Bradshaw’s ministry.
Section 23 (1) of the legislation states: “A specified person in public life listed in Part I of the Second Schedule who receives a gift worth more than $2 500, or whose spouse or child receives such a gift, shall make a report of that fact to the Commission in the Form 4 set out in the Third Schedule and shall state in the report”. (CLM)
