Harold Lovell, the United Progressive Party (UPP) caretaker for All Saints West, has launched a scathing critique against Prime Minister Gaston Browne, accusing him of orchestrating a cover-up in the ongoing ‘chain gang’ vehicle scandal. Lovell’s statement, issued on Thursday, contends that Browne’s recent announcements—ranging from new vehicle policies to public auctions, a $10 million repayment agreement, and the establishment of a ‘People’s Restitution Fund’—are not genuine reforms but rather ‘acts of desperation.’
Lovell argued that these measures fail to address the core issues or hold accountable those implicated in the scandal. ‘Every new announcement underscores the severity of the problem, yet none tackle the individuals at the heart of it,’ he stated. He emphasized that the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda deserve transparency and accountability, not what he described as ‘theatrics.’
‘The Prime Minister’s decision to negotiate repayments before a comprehensive investigation is not justice; it’s a smokescreen,’ Lovell added. The UPP is demanding a full forensic investigation, spearheaded by independent bodies such as the Integrity Commission, the Auditor General’s Office, and civil society observers. Lovell believes that only such an inquiry can restore public trust in the government.
‘With every policy announcement, Gaston Browne shuts another door to the truth,’ Lovell remarked. ‘He’s using window dressing to obscure the facts, but the people of Antigua and Barbuda will not remain in the dark.’