Opposition Leader denies receipt of $5 million from SCL

Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace has categorically denied that the New Democratic Party (NDP) has received $5 million from Strategic Communication Laboratories or Behavioural Dynamics Institute (BDI), consultants to the NDP.{{more}}

Yesterday, Eustace used his party’s New Times Programme on Nice Radio to deny the claim put forward by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on Friday.

“I have not received any money; the New Democratic Party has not received any money. I even called Sir James and he himself has confirmed the same situation.”

“You know what is tragic about it, it is a fabrication. No money has been given to us. Quite frankly, if I had five million dollars now, I’ll be very happy in the heat of campaigning,” said Eustace.

Eustace said he found it to be strange that if the NDP had received such money and there were some concerns about the source of it, why wasn’t the party contacted by the Finance Intelligence Unit.

“Nobody has contacted us. I checked our account this morning, no money like that is there. So I want to know where this money is that we are supposed to have got,” said Eustace, noting that he doesn’t understand how the Prime Minister has the gall to ask the NDP for source of funds and he has not declared the source of funds for the US $1 million alleged to have been deposited to the government’s account at the National Commercial Bank during the referendum.

“I also want to know why the banks or FIU would be passing that information to Gonsalves and the person who is supposed to have received it don’t know that there is a problem,” said Eustace.

The Opposition Leader said he doesn’t ask Gonsalves for the ULP’s source of funding.

Eustace also denied claims that the NDP is “cozy” with drug dealers.

“We don’t deal with drug dealers in terms of raising funds for the New Democratic Party. So I notice this whole trend now as trying to paint us as some corrupt bunch. But I want somebody to tell me who it was when Nano filed suits in Europe and United States against two politicians and their wives for campaign monies that were received? I want him to tell me who those politicians are,” said Eustace.

Eustace said he gets a lot of information, but doesn’t speak about everything that he knows.(HN)