Shaw accuses finance minister, PM of uncertainty, doublespeak

OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN on finance Audley Shaw has accused the Portia Simpson Miller administration of doublespeaking on the issue of when the country will ink an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Quizzing Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips on Tuesday in Parliament on a status report on negotiations with the IMF, Shaw charged that Simpson Miller and Phillips were giving contrasting deadlines on when an accord could be reached with the multilateral body.

However, Phillips hit back saying there was no confusion on a possible date for signing the agreement.

He noted that the administration could sign an agreement with the IMF anytime, but it would not necessarily be in the best interest of the country.

Phillips argued that the Government was seeking and "will continue to seek the best possible agreement with the Fund".