The Director of Public Prosecutions has discontinued the most recent private criminal charges filed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Anil Nandlall against three sitting Government Ministers.

Attorney General, Senior Counsel Basil Williams confirmed this afternoon that the private criminal charges against Ministers Winston Jordan, Rupert Roopnarine and David Patterson have been discontinued.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party had brought charges of misconduct in public office against a total of five government Ministers. Two of the charges were dropped on Monday and now the Attorney General has confirmed receiving a copy of the order sent by the DPP to the Chief Magistrate instructing her to discontinue the second set of charges.

In the last statement from the DPP’s Chambers, it was noted that the charges were discontinued because such allegations ought first to have been reported to the Guyana Police Force for an investigation to be launched and the advice of the DPP sought

The first set of charges were brought against Ministers Volda Lawrence and Dr. George Norton with the second set of charges being brought against Ministers David Patterson, Winston Jordan and Rupert Roopnarine.

Williams supported the DPP’s move to discontinue the charges, indicating that her decision came on the heels of advice from him.

“I am the one who showed DPP the way home,” he told reporters at his Chambers on Thursday.

Williams said he hopes the  PPP will be dissuaded from bringing the same “malicious charges” against other serving Ministers lest they are made to pay millions for defamation of character.

“They will have to pay for that,” he said, indicating that the Ministers charged will have to lawyer up to defend their reputations.

Former Attorney General under the PPP government, Anil Nandlall had moved to the Magistrate court with the charges of misconduct in public office after the Special Organised Crime Unit had brought similar charges against former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and Head of the Privatization Unit, Winston Brassington for the sale of state lands.

He believes Lawrence is guilty of misconduct in public office for her role in the emergency purchase of millions in drugs and Dr. Norton for his role in the rental of the Sussex Street drug bond.

Meanwhile, Roopnarine, Patterson, and Jordan were all charged for their role in the construction of Durban Park.

The PPP had said on the last occasion that it was not surprised that the charges were discontinued but amid concern, they committed to making these reports to the Guyana Police Force.

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