In a press release issued by the PM’s Press Secretary, it was explained that on behalf of Dr. Douglas, a letter was issued by the Law Officers of Sylvester Anthony to the host and administrator of the SKN List, Charles Mitcham concerning the allegations.
The letter, according the release, said, “These statements mean or are understood to mean that our client (1) receive a bribe from a white foreigner for state largesse in return; used State projects namely La Valle and SSMC to dishonestly siphon off monies to his personal accounts and for his personal benefit; is involved in drug trafficking and /or associated with drug traffickers and personally received money from drug traffickers and sought to extort 50% of a company belonging to one Clecton Phillip and 25 percent belonging to Gus Williams.”
Also according to the press release, “Further allegations spelled out in the letter are that the statements suggest that the PM, ‘secretly owes First Citizens Bank Ltd the sum of $5,078, 716; falsely declared that there was debt forgiveness with SACE and the Government of Italy and transferred and/or stole more than US$76 million of the alleged debt into the account of Lex Consulting for his own benefit and has abused the Office of Prime Minister and has sought to use, and dishonestly used, the Office for his own corrupt and personal gain.’”
The Prime Minister, via his lawyer, contends that these allegations are false and are part of a “calculated and partisan campaign to deliberately smear Dr. Douglas and drive him from political office” and has asked that certain actions be taken immediately or face prosecution.
“It called for the offending publications if still available online to be removed immediately pending resolution of the matters complained of,” the press release informed.
According to MiyVue.com’s observations, the SKN List seems to have been shut down and avid follower and contributor to the list, Clecton Phillip, has expressed his views on the happenings relative to this.
In a press release, Phillip explained that he is by no means a supporter of nor does he encourage statements which defame people’s characters.
He further explained that while an “increasingly irascible Dr. Douglas” is making these complaints, “His carriers of water and hewers of wood are on the internet and other media insulting, abusing and vilifying upright citizens of this Country.
“Most recently in Parliament during his wind up of the 2011 Budget debate, Dr. Douglas launched a most unwarranted personal, vitriolic attack (unchecked by the Speaker) on the Leader of the Opposition…Mark Brantley. That he is now behaving as if it is his right to silence any voice that disturbs him is an attribute found, with disturbing frequency, in many tyrants in history.”
Phillip noted that the leader of a country should have the “intestinal fortitude and character” which allows him to brave criticism and scrutiny. He further noted that if Dr. Douglas had passed the Integrity in Public Life and the Freedom of Information legislations as he had promised, “the Country both economically and socially would be a thousand times more stable than he has caused it to be today. We now have a situation where, not only is the Country struggling for oxygen but Dr. Douglas is struggling to defend his reputation, a reputation for which only he can claim responsibility.”
Despite Dr. Douglas’ request, Phillip informed that, “There will continue to be vigorous and vigilant discussion of important public issues and equally vigorous, democratic action. If Dr. Douglas does not want to take the lead in these processes then he will be led to them, because the Country has had enough of his shenanigans and brattish behaviour.
“If Dr. Douglas wants to sue anybody, let him proceed. In Cricket, as he ought to remember from his boyhood days, once you bat you must field. He must understand that, in the Country’s interest, the public debate must not and will not be stifled.”