Published 24 May 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Next Labour Party administration will seek technical assistance from Germany on anti-corruption legislation
Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 23, 2018 – Leader of the Opposition the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said Wednesday his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) expects to assume office following the next general election and will seek Germany’s assistance in crafting anti-corruption legislation.
Dr. Douglas told listeners during Wednesday’s Issues programme on Freedom 106.5 FM that he made the submission during a meeting with Germany’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Holger Michael who paid a courtesy call on him earlier that afternoon.
“We looked at how technical support will be provided to the future Labour administration – because we will be the administration in the future – and how we will be able to strengthen our relationship with Germany so that anti-corruption laws in St. Kitts and Nevis will be strengthened,” said Dr. Douglas.
It was transcripts from surveillance recordings made by German police that were handed over to the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK that triggered their own criminal investigation into allegations of bribery by British tycoon Peter Virdee in which the names of St. Kitts and Nevis’ and other Caribbean politicians are mentioned.
The National Crime Agency in the UK alleges Virdee and his partner conspired to bribe corrupt officials.
The Antigua and Barbuda minister named in the judgement has resigned from the Cabinet to clear his name, but Prime Minister said he is not going anywhere and will resist growing calls to quit office.
Mr. Michael has already paid a courtesy call on the Federation’s Governor General. He will also make similar calls on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Photos – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (left) and Germany’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Holger Michael
