The Opposition People’s Progressive Party believes that the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to recommend criminal charges against former Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford is as a result of political pressure.

The DPP yesterday recommended that criminal charges be filed against the former PPP government Minister and her former Personnel Officer over their alleged roles in the illegal and fraudulent transfer of eight government vehicles to private individuals including the former Minister and her spouse.

In a statement last evening, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) said it has “noted the pressure being exerted on the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP’s) Chambers, to advice in favour of bringing charges against members of the Party.”

According to the party, it has noted “efforts by the Granger Administration to persecute PPP members using the Police and the Courts to do so.”

The PPP stated that it has noted statements by government Ministers about going after the “big fishes” and it believes those statements are aimed at achieving a goal “that is consistent with a political-motivated agenda of the Granger Administration.”

“The PPP, therefore, urges the DPP’s Chambers, the Guyana Police Force and the Judiciary, to act independently of any political interference.”

The alleged scam came to light after the former Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry, Hydar Ally,  informed the new government that there was an attempt to transfer the government vehicles to former Minister Jennifer Westford, her spouse and two other private individuals.

The vehicles were returned to the government when the probe got underway. The former Minister was instrumental in ensuring the return of the vehicles after she met with senior officials of the People’s Progressive Party. She also provided a statement to the investigators.

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