Opposition Leader demands independent inquiry into vehicle scandal — says Antigua and Barbuda’s credibility is on the line

Leader of the Opposition Jamale Pringle is calling for a full-scale independent inquiry into the widening vehicle scandal that has rocked Antigua and Barbuda’s government, warning that anything less would be “a betrayal of public trust and an insult to taxpayers.”

Pringle said the situation has reached a level of seriousness that demands urgent, transparent action; not internal investigations led by those who may themselves be implicated.

“This scandal is no longer about a few vehicles — it’s about the integrity of government, the abuse of state power, and the misuse of public funds,” Pringle declared. “Only an independent Commission of Inquiry can uncover the truth and restore public confidence.”

The Opposition Leader made his remarks as new revelations continue to emerge, linking several government departments, including Customs, the Ministry of Public Works, and the Transport Board, to the unauthorized transfer and purchase of duty-free vehicles.

The controversy has already claimed the resignation of Comptroller of Customs Raju Boddu, and the transfers of senior public officials within the Ministry of Works.

It has also drawn scrutiny over the involvement of Harney Motors and other dealerships allegedly connected to alleged fake tax-exemption and duty-free scheme worth millions.

Pringle accused the government of attempting to “cover its tracks” through selective disclosures, saying that Prime Minister Gaston Browne cannot credibly oversee any investigation involving his own administration — or his wife, Public Works Minister Maria Bird Browne, whose ministry has been drawn into the controversy.

“It is totally unethical for the Prime Minister to be anywhere near this investigation,” Pringle said. “When the head of government is tied, even indirectly, to the scandal through a spouse, he cannot be judge and investigator at the same time. The people deserve an impartial process.”

Pringle also criticized what he described as “a culture of arrogance and deflection,” accusing the administration of downplaying the scandal while dismissing legitimate questions from the Opposition and the media.

“Every day, the story changes. One day, it’s a procedural lapse; the next, it’s a whistleblower situation. Meanwhile, millions in public funds have vanished into thin air,” he said. “This government cannot police itself — that much is clear.”

He added that the issue transcends politics and strikes at the heart of good governance and national reputation.

“This isn’t about red or blue. It’s about right and wrong. Investors, international partners, and citizens are all watching how Antigua and Barbuda handles corruption within its ranks. If we fail to act decisively, we lose credibility not just at home, but abroad.”

Pringle urged civil society, trade unions, and church leaders to support the call for an inquiry, insisting that silence would only embolden wrongdoing.

“The people of Antigua and Barbuda have had enough. We demand truth, we demand transparency, and we demand accountability, no matter who it offends,” he said.

The Opposition Leader reiterated that the United Progressive Party (UPP) will continue to press for answers, warning that failure to launch an independent investigation could lead to “irreparable damage” to the country’s democratic institutions.
“The world is watching,” Pringle concluded. “This is the moment for the government to prove that no one, no minister, no dealer, no official, is above the law.”

All this comes as Prime Minister Gaston Browne said his wife’s hands are clean, saying that she was the one who unearthed the unethical practice.