Controversy is brewing in relation to new a development in the Trafigura Affair following statements made by the Finance Minister at last weekend's annual conference of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), which is at the centre of the Trafigura Affair, has broken its silence by raising probing questions about the pronouncement by Audley Shaw, JLP Deputy Leader.
In a statement Tuesday night, the PNP said it finds it highly unusual that a JLP Deputy Leader was able to make an announcement at the Party's conference in relation to an investigation by the Dutch authorities.
The Opposition Party is trying to find out know how Mr. Shaw came by such sensitive information.
It says it wants to know whether it came from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
According to the PNP, it is reported that the matter was conducted by the Office of the DPP and the Department should therefore indicate whether it was a party to providing information to Mr. Shaw or anyone in the JLP.
RJR News unable to reach DPP Paula Llewellyn for a response.
The probe by the Dutch authorities relates to a $31 million donation made to the PNP by oil-trading company Trafigura Beheer.
The company has come under scrutiny in the Netherlands, as such donations to political parties are illegal in that country.
The Party is also asking why Mr. Shaw did not make it clear that the relevant PNP members are being requested to assist in an investigation and are not under suspicion of wrongdoing.
The statement added that the PNP members involved are consulting their legal representatives on the matter.
In its statement, the PNP expressed alarm at what it claimed is a pattern of the Golding administration habitually and improperly compromising the independence of state institutions which have been insulated from partisan intrusion.
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