Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator

Campbell

A number of public officials under the previous administration could be embroiled in a bribery scandal, if the allegations from Dutch officials investigating the $31 million donation to the CCOC account linked to former general secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) Colin Campbell are confirmed.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in a statement to Parliament yesterday, revealed that the Dutch authorities, who started a criminal investigation against Dutch oil trader Trafigura Beheer in January, have said that the company is believed to be guilty of having bribed public officials in Jamaica.

Bribery is punishable under Dutch law and the National Public Prosecutor's office of The Netherlands says it is still desirous of pursuing the investigations.

Persons to be interviewed

The Prime Minister said, as part of the probe, the Dutch investigators have expressed an interest in interviewing persons who were involved in the transaction, as well as him, the person who brought the matter to public attention last year.

Mr. Campbell, speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, said: "Like you, I am hearing about it for the first time. No request has been made of me. I don't have a request and if the request comes, I will deal with it at that time."

Mr. Golding revealed that a request by the Dutch authorities to visit Jamaica to conduct investigations into the money lodged to the PNP account was denied by the then PNP government.

He said the Dutch request was rejected on the grounds that it did not fall under the necessary legislative arrangements.

Casualty

Mounting pressure on the Portia Simpson Miller administration last year resulted in the resignation of Mr. Campbell, the only casualty, to date, from the Trafigura debacle.

The Prime Minister told his parliamentary colleagues that the National Public Prosecutor's office has renewed its request of the Jamaican government for the necessary legal assistance to conduct its investigations.

"I, therefore, wish to advise that, on my instructions, the Minister of Justice has issued an order, pursuant to Section 32(2) of the Mutual Assistance Act, declaring that the provisions of the act shall apply to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime."

Additionally, the Kingdom of the Netherlands will be designated a foreign state to which the provisions of the Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters) Act applies.

Mr. Golding said this move would enable the central authority to consider the request by the Dutch authorities to visit Jamaica to conduct investigations into the matter.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com