ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Oct 20 2015 – Former prime minister Baldwin Spencer has continued to defend himself against accusations that he is guilty of wrongdoing in the widespread scandal at the UN involving former Antiguan & Barbudan Diplomat, Dr John Ashe.
Spencer told Parliament, on Monday, that despite several suggestions reported in the media, at no time did he seek to “enrich himself” personally from proceeds he received on the behalf of the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP).
“I have been prime minister of Antigua & Barbuda for 10 years, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, I have absolutely nothing to hide or to be ashamed of, especially as it relates to the whole matter of enriching myself on the backs of the people of Antigua & Barbuda,” Spencer said yesterday.
Dr Ashe is accused of tax evasion and accepting bribes of over US $1 million from Chinese investors in exchange for his representing their interests before the UN.
Spencer has admitted to asking Dr Ashe for and receiving his assistance to help finance his re-election campaign.
The MP for the St John’s Rural West Constituency declared he has no foreign accounts and has never abused his power for monetary gain.
As an example of his probity, the opposition leader pointed to his rejection of a $10,000 housing allowance for the prime minister during his term in office.
He said instead of accepting the allowance he reduced it significantly.
“I said, at that time, that was unconscionable. And, so I took a personal decision to substantially reduce the amount of the allowance from $10,000 to $4, 000,” Spencer said.
The former PM said had he accepted that amount he could have comfortably paid for his mortgage at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).
