Stanford

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has strongly criticised the "haughty, arrogant and obnoxious behaviour" of United States billionaire, Sir Allen Stanford, saying he was tired of the "threats, innuendoes and now, downright political interference in our nation's affairs" coming from the Texan billionaire, who is also Antigua and Barbuda's single largest investor.

Spencer, who is the leader of the governing United Progressive Party (UPP) said that Sir Allen's recent visits to his St. John's rural west constituency and other parts of the island had resulted in some concern for party supporters.

Soon after he was awarded a knighthood last November, Sir Allen said he would be touring the 17 constituencies in the country outlining his proposals for the future development of the island.

Sir Allen has also met with a select committee of Cabinet and the top brass of the opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) to outline his US$2.7 billion investment programme.

But Spencer said "his haughty, arrogant and obnoxious behaviour since his elevation to knighthood by the former prime minister and leader of the Antigua Labour Party, Lester Bird, has evidently gone to his head and makes him believe that he is still dealing with Mr. Lester Bird as prime minister.

"However, it is about time that Allen Stanford faces the reality that the government changed from the ALP to the United Progressive Party on March 23, 2004."

There has been no reaction as yet from Sir Allen, who is also owner of the regional airline, Caribbean Star, to the allegations made by the Prime Minister.