Ashworth Azille, caretaker for the United Progressive Party in St. John’s Rural East, has announced that constituents are preparing to launch a petition calling for an independent investigation into the alleged government vehicle scandal. Speaking at a town hall meeting dubbed ‘Vehicle Gate,’ Azille emphasized the growing public demand for accountability, stating that citizens are determined to see the minister in question step aside to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry. He argued that public confidence in any investigation would be compromised if the minister remains in office, as it could allow for potential manipulation of facts. Azille clarified that the petition is not an accusation of guilt but a necessary step to guarantee the independence of the inquiry. He also criticized Prime Minister Gaston Browne for what he described as ‘double standards,’ referencing a past incident where a minister was required to step aside during a UK-led investigation. Azille stressed that Antigua and Barbuda is a ‘country of laws’ and called for leaders to be held to higher standards of integrity. He acknowledged the strength of the nation’s public administration laws but lamented their weak enforcement. Azille urged citizens to demand better from their leaders and reiterated that only a fully independent inquiry, free from political interference, would satisfy public expectations. ‘If you are so confident that you have nothing to hide, then allow the investigation to happen,’ he concluded. ‘Let the facts exonerate you. You cannot exonerate yourself.’
Azille: Rural East Ready to Launch Petition Demanding Independent Probe into Vehicle Controversy
