ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):
ANTIGUA AND Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has sought to defend the circumstances surrounding the walkout of Cabinet by one of his senior ministers and the resignation of his special adviser.
In a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Monday night, Spencer said that Wilmoth Daniel, the Minister of Works, Transport and Environment, had issued an ultimatum last Friday more than a month after his special advisor Roy Boyke had tendered his resignation.
NO DETAILS
Spencer did not give any details regarding Daniel's ultimatum, but government sources said Daniel told the Prime Minister that he would not
be attending any more Cabinet meetings with Boyke in
attendance.
"The matter of the special advisor to the Prime Minister's attendance at Cabinet meetings had been resolved before the action taken by the Minister of Works, Transport and the Environment on Friday, December 2," Spencer said.
He said he had received Boyke's resignation on October 20 to take effect on November 30, but that his former special adviser would have proceeded on leave from November 2.
However, Spencer said Boyke agreed to his request and "agreed to forego his leave and to continue working in the service of the government to the end of November".
Spencer said Boyke was scheduled to leave the island last weekend when Daniel issued his ultimatum "and his walkout from the Cabinet meeting".
The Prime Minister also said he expect Boyke to "return to Antigua during the course of this month to complete assignments that I have entrusted to him".
Political observers say Daniel's apparent fallout with Spencer probably stems from the on-going investigation into state-run Antigua Public Utilities.
The investigation came after the Cabinet disbanded the board amid allegations of conflict of interest and poor administration.
Spencer said media and opposition attacks on Boyke were "unfounded and unfortunate" and he did "nothing to deserve the vilification, the slander, the character assassination to which he has been unrelentingly subjected for sometime now".
Spencer also credited "Boyke for a number of the initiatives (his) government has adopted since taking office in March 2004."
"Among them is the trilogy of legislation: The Integrity in Public Life, Anti-Corruption and Freedom of Information legislation," he added.
He defended Boyke's stewardship to his government and track record as political advisor.
"Roy Boyke has served Antigua and Barbuda well, as advisor to the Prime Minister, and by definition, as advisor to the Cabinet. He brought to this assignment, great political insight, extensive government and public service experience in several countries of the region, genuine wisdom and, very importantly, uncompromising objectivity."
"In my interaction with senior Heads of CARICOM governments, I have encountered nothing but positive comments about and respect for this well-regarded CARICOM national."
"I feel a sense of personal remorse at the injustice meted out to this honourable man, who was always counsellor, never competitor, to any member of the Cabinet or the party. I thank Roy Boyke for his service to Antigua and Barbuda and say to him, good will always triumph over evil."
In his letter of resignation, Boyke said he "had not contemplated remaining in Antigua for any considerable period" after the elections last year.
"For reasons that I have discussed with you, I must now confirm my decision to conclude my engagement as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, with effect from November 30, 2005, and my intention to depart from Antigua immediately thereafter," the letter read.
"I leave with gratitude for the opportunity to have served the United Progressive Party and the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda in the critical stages leading to and during the transition to the new culture of governance that you have introduced."
"Working with you has been its own reward, Prime Minister, and I affirm my enduring commitment to serving the UPP cause and the Sunshine Government in whatever manner may be practicable in the future. "Under your leadership, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda deserves ultimately to be a better place," he wrote.
