The Leader of the Opposition has issued a statement on the allegations made by the Chief Minister that the GSD Government made a loan in January 2003 to a company in which a GSD Minister allegedly had an interest.

Daniel Feetham the Leader of the Opposition said:

“We have made our own enquiries from former GSD Ministers none of whom recognise this transaction. The Principal Auditor does not say in his report that the loan in question was provided to a company in which a GSD Minister had any interest. That is an allegation made by the Chief Minister. We, therefore, invite the Chief Minister to place all the facts before Parliament in order to substantiate his allegations. The GSD certainly has nothing to hide.

In any event, this is simply a disgraceful and feeble attempt at a smokescreen to avoid debating the serious issues in relation to public finance raised by Mr. Clinton in his motion and defend his of lack transparency. The reality is that if this such a burning issue, he has had five years to bring it to public light and has chosen not to do so. The GSD is not going to be deterred from holding the Government to account on the hundreds of millions spent and borrowed by it, most of which is hidden behind Government owned companies. That spending and borrowing is risking our economic and political security. That is the real issue.”