Lead Stories

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Contractor General Greg Christie is recommending that criminal charges be laid against former People's National Party (PNP) government minister Colin Campbell, in what could be a major setback in his desire to return to representational politics.

Christie, who says he has been unable to determine whether there was any corruption involved in the collection of $31 million from the Dutch oil-trading firm in the 2006 Trafigura Beheer scandal, said Campbell, a former PNP general secretary, refused to assist the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) in its investigation into the matter.

In his report into the Trafigura affair, obtained by The Gleaner yesterday, Christie recommended that the document be referred to the director of public prosecutions as there is evidence that "Colin Campbell has committed a criminal offence or offences under Section 29 (b) of the Contractor General Act by failing, without lawful justification or excuse to comply with a lawful requirement of a contractor general and/or by withholding critical information from the contractor general".

The charge carries a penalty of $5,000 or a year in prison.

Burchell Whiteman, a member of the PNP's integrity commission, told The Gleaner yesterday that the report would have to be brought before that body if Campbell is to be selected as a candidate.

"A matter of that kind will come before the integrity commission," Whiteman said. Campbell left active politics under a cloud in 2006, after it was revealed that monies were paid into one of his bank accounts by the Dutch firm. But on Sunday, he declared his intention to make a Gordon House comeback by way of North Central Clarendon, which is now represented by the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) Pearnel Charles.

Before he can get the go-ahead to challenge on a PNP ticket, Campbell, like other candidates, must be vetted and approved by the party's integrity commission.

Not worried

But yesterday, Campbell said he was not worried that the content of the contractor general's report would retard his return to representational politics.

"That report has nothing to do with me. That report has to deal with the investigation into the PCJ oil-lifting contract," Campbell told The Gleaner earlier in the day before details of the document were known.

But in addition to the propriety of the procurement process involving the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and Trafigura, the OCG investigation focused on whether there was a link between the money which was allegedly paid by Trafigura to the Colin Campbell Our Candidate (CCOC) Association, and the award and/or prospective award of any government contract to Trafigura; and whether, in consequence, there was any evidence of any form of corruption.

Meanwhile, Campbell said he was confident of winning the party's nod of approval to contest the seat, even while adding that the work he has done in organising the seat would benefit the PNP.

"When I went there, I did not go there as a candidate. I went there to help to organise the constituency so that was my primary thing," Campbell told The Gleaner.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com