Office of the Leader of the Opposition: The alleged withdrawal of the Customs & Excise case against former Saint Lucia High Commissioner Ernest Hilaire has raised even more questions than provided answers as to whether Hilaire used our nation’s UK office to evade taxes on a Land Rover Sport in 2015. Upon arrival in Saint Lucia the vehicle was listed as a state asset yet was released to Hilaire on pre-delivery pending further documentation. Hilaire was given several occasions to produce the documentation to Customs and his refusal finally resulted in charges being brought against him.
The latest reported developments of the case being withdrawn by Customs with no explanation suggests contempt for the public’s right to know. Additionally, Ernest Hilaire is currently the nation’s Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information and in charge of the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) – positions that require the highest levels of INTEGRITY, ETHICS AND TRUST.
The lack of transparency with regard to the vehicle, brings into question the quality of persons holding such positions within the Government and the public concern as to whether Hilaire abused his office, has not been laid to rest.
Leader of the Opposition Honourable Allen Chastanet explained that, “Resolving this case in a manner that is transparent and certain is important to public trust. This case has never been arbitrated because the Comptroller of Customs chose to withdraw the case and now both Hilaire and the Comptroller of Customs owe it to the public to explain why.”
Chastanet also reminded that the case started due to an official letter to Customs from the Director of Finance in 2017, which according to records from the United Kingdom belonged to the state. The Customs Comptroller also owes an explanation to the Ministry of Finance.
“Has Hilaire finally perfected his entry to Customs?” asked Chastanet. “Has the Customs department received the documents requested which were a Supplier’s Commercial invoice for sale of the vehicle, Proof of payment to the supplier, the Diplomatic Sales Vehicle Quote, Vehicle registration documents from the driver and vehicle licensing agency in London and The application to purchase a British Car at a tax-exclusive Price? The public needs to know the answer to these and more questions.”
The former Prime Minister stated that until these questions are answered, there will continue to be a cloud of mistrust surrounding Investment Minister Ernest Hilaire and the entire Government, in particular the Minister for Finance.
Among the other questions to be answered Chastanet said were:
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These are detailed and legitimate questions that must be asked and answered provided to the general public. As Mr Pierre was elected on being transparent to the public.
Its de ja vu I remember this was the same slogan Dr Anthony run on a won a landslide victory. Only for him to dismiss senator Rick Wayne for asking legitimate questions on Helen air. Simply history continue to repeat itself with the same politicians calling the opposite party corrupt and they being openly and blatantly corrupt.