Prime Minister Mia Mottley has brushed aside calls for her to fire Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw over a personal cheque made payable to Bradshaw for $7 500.
During an address to the nation on Saturday, Mottley said she has spoken to the Deputy Prime Minister who has been very clear in her response.
According to Mottley, there are two critical points of which the public should take note — the cheque was not solicited by Bradshaw, nor did she have prior notice of its delivery; and the cheque was not cashed.
“If I was in another place, I would say to you on both counts — case closed,” the Prime Minister said.
The cheque was written by the civil engineering firm Errol Clarke Associates. It was subsequently stolen by Tyrone St Elmo Holford who attempted to cash it.
According to Mottley, “that the Leader of the Democratic Labour Party immediately called for the Deputy Prime Minister’s dismissal is truly understandable, as he himself knows well the threats that he is currently facing in his own party.
“And while it may be said that misery loves company, I want to remind him that he is on his own this time yet again, because there is no company for him on this matter of dismissal.”
Mottley said Dr Ronnie Yearwood is “looking for a political equalizer,” but she said in the words of the great Robert Nesta Marley, “you draw bad card. Not this one. On both counts, as I said, this matter is closed.”
The Prime Minister is adamant that “there has been no criminal behaviour, there has been no breach on the part of the Deputy Prime Minister of any law, and there is nothing that merits her dismissal.”
At a news conference last Saturday, Yearwood called for Bradshaw’s resignation or dismissal.
He expressed concern, citing the Integrity In Public Life Act and highlighting the need for public officials to disclose gifts exceeding $2 500 to the commission. He pointed out that the $7 500 cheque should have been reported under this law, suggesting a violation by Bradshaw.
Bradshaw has also clarified that the cheque was part of a charitable contribution to her annual Christmas hamper and food voucher programme, which she has been organising for years to support families in her constituency. She said the contribution wasn’t related to any products or services provided to her ministry.
“This programme predates my becoming a Minister of Government. I strongly object to the insinuation of there being anything untoward about a cheque being submitted to my office and being deposited into an account from which funds are used to underwrite a charitable programme that assists thousands of families and households in St Michael South East.
“The benefactor in this instance is not currently providing any product or service to the Ministry over which I preside. This particular contribution could have been written to my charity or in my name, as it was done. Either way, it was processed by my office and the proceeds went to the people of my constituency,” Bradshaw, the Leader of Government Business in the Lower House of Parliament said in her statement.
(DLB)
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