ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Oct 07 2015 – The United Progressive Party (UPP) has expressed shock at Tuesday’s news involving the arrest of former ambassador Dr. John Ashe on charges of bribery and related crimes.
The UPP said it’s also shocked “at the attempted incrimination of former prime minister Dr. Baldwin Spencer”.
Ashe is accused of accepting $1.3 million in bribes and failing to pay adequate taxes. He is accused of using his influence to support the building of a UN conference center in Macau by Chinese billionaire David Ng.
The UPP says it wishes to distance itself from any alleged criminal conduct of Dr. Ashe and states, categorically, that while the Party received donations from Dr. Ashe through the then political leader, it never knowingly accepted such as the proceeds of any crime.
“A close perusal of the relevant court document reveals an inference that monies were received to facilitate access by potential investors to government ministers, including the then prime minister. That is patently untrue and contrary to the UPP administration’s business culture. Accordingly, we absolutely deny that any investor had to pay for such access,” the party said in a statement.
The UPP expresses its regret that Dr. Ashe, who served at the UN Mission between
1989 and 2014, has found himself in this situation, but strongly asserts its confidence in Dr. Spencer and his good intentions and, indeed, the tenure of the UPP Administration.
A judge on Tuesday set bail at $1 million for Ashe and he was also ordered to wear an electronic bracelet.
