Williams slams Dawes' claims regarding purchase of $31-million neurosurgical drill as misleading

Kingston Central Member of Parliament Donovan Williams says he welcomes Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Alfred Dawes' call for the Auditor General’s Department and the Integrity Commission to investigate the $31-million purchase of a neurosurgical drill for the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew, saying such a probe would vindicate him.

Williams issued the statement after Dr Dawes referenced him in connection with the company that, according to Dawes, won the bid to supply the drill.

Williams has described Dawes' comments as misleading and defamatory and is demanding an apology.

See full statement below:

I take note of misleading allegations made by PNP Caretaker, Dr Alfred Dawes at a media conference he convened earlier today, May 20, 2025.

Dawes alleges that I own a company which was reportedly involved in the purchase of a drill for use by the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Dr. Dawes is quite mistaken, and he was reckless to have taken the time to prepare and call a media conference without having first reached out to me for comment and clarification. The questions he posed to me in the media conference, I could have addressed in a simple telephone call.

A search of the Companies Office records will show that my name is reflected as one of the shareholders in the company referenced. *However, I do not now, nor have I ever owned a beneficial interest in the company. In other words, I am not entitled to nor have I shared in the profits of this company. My name being listed as a shareholder in this company merely reflects that I was designated as a trustee in my capacity as an attorney-at-law. The assertion by Dawes that I own the company is reckless and misleading*

The company referenced by Dawes was incorporated in 2007. I became a trustee for some of its shares in 2009. A legal dispute later ensued thereafter as to the beneficial ownership of the shares. *In those proceedings, it was made clear and accepted by all that I had no beneficial interest in the said shares nor ever did and, for the avoidance of doubt, at no time have I ever asserted such an interest.*

Further, my role as a mere trustee for the said shares during the said dispute between competing parties is a matter of verifiable record. This matter was resolved in 2022 and my attorneys-at-law have since prepared the necessary documents to facilitate the shares being passed to the beneficial owner. Removing my name as a shareholder of this company from the Companies Office is therefore now just a matter of formality.

I also wish to state that, my role as trustee, which I was engaged to assume in my capacity as an attorney-at-law, has long been declared to the appropriate authorities, given my obligations as a member of parliament.

Dawes appears to have extended himself beyond his area of expertise and in doing so, has made false statements and innuendos concerning me. I wish to make it very clear that, I know nothing about the reported purchase of the drill or any negotiations or discussions involving its purchase. In fact, I first became aware of the transaction when it was reported on in the news. To be clear, Dawes' suggestion that I may have derived any benefit from the purchase which he framed as improper, is false, mischievous and defamatory.

I note Dawes' disingenuous attempt to link his comments concerning the aforementioned issue to Estatebridge. I must add that, his decision to raise the spectre of corruption has further compounded the defamatory nature of his comments.

*I have instructed my attorneys-at-law to review the allegations made by Dawes and to recommend appropriate action. I have also given instructions for my attorneys-at-law to monitor ensuing reports and repetitions of the defamatory statements.*

*I call on Dawes to do the honourable thing and issue an apology forthwith, in similar vein to his defamatory publication. It would be prudent for Dawes, in his future conduct, to desist from attempting to gain political mileage by bringing my name into disrepute and take steps to ensure that his future utterances are verified and consistent with the truth.*

Finally, regarding Dr Dawes’ call for investigations by the Auditor General and Integrity Commission into the matter and I would welcome such investigations, as they would further vindicate my position and, as a corollary, my reputation.

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