Local News

“Intentionally malicious’’ remarks and reshuffle denial

St. George’s, June 5, 2012 – Another executive member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has added his voice to the ongoing debate on cash received by the party’s leader, Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, from a foreign donor.

Treasurer Bernard Isaac said Tuesday that some of the remarks about the Prime Minister’s action are “intentionally malicious.’’

The opposition New National Party first accused an unnamed “top government minister’’ of receiving US$150,000 from a donor in Saudi Arabia, with suggestions that it was to be channel to the NDC.

The accusation was denied by the Prime Minister, and the General Secretary of the NDC also told reporters that he was unaware of any cash being received from overseas for the party.

However, a statement from the Prime Minister’s press secretary said that “a friend of Grenada, who does not wish to be publicly identified, and whose place of corporate residence is the British Virgin Islands,’’ made the donation to Thomas as NDC leader.

“At every stage,’’ said press secretary Richard Simon, “it was the understanding and belief of Prime Minister Thomas, that these funds were intended to assist the NDC and for no other purpose.’’

On Monday, former Works Minister Joseph Gilbert, who sits on the NDC’s executive, said the party ought to look into the matter of the money transfer to the private account of the prime minister.

“How is it,’’ he asked, “a person receives money for his party and fails to make the disclosure to that party five months and numerous meetings thereafter?’’

Isaac, however, has said that “from time to time,’’ Thomas collects money for the NDC and the cash is delivered to him, as treasurer, “to pay bills in the name of the party.’’

Isaac said he reported on some of the payments at last general council of the NDC that held in Carriacou in March.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Glen Noel is accusing the local press of not understanding their responsibility.

He made the charge in reaction to reports of a pending reshuffle of government ministers.

The government-friendly MTV News broke the story on Monday evening, saying that “in the coming days’’ there will be a reshuffle.

The station said the reshuffle includes planned changes in the portfolios of South St. George MP Glynis Roberts and MP for St. Andrew South-West, Sylvester Quarless.

Noel said no media had called him to discuss the matter of the reported cabinet shake up, nor had he been “officially informed’’ of any pending government reshuffle.

“I don’t know anything about it,’’ Noel said.

However, other sources close to government maintain that discussions have taken place with ministers about a pending reshuffle.

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