Senior Congress of the People (Cope) MP Phillip Dexter on Wednesday rejected allegations of non-disclosure of assets and interests in Parliament’s register of members’ interests.
“Over the past 12 months, since my ex-wife agreed to divorce, there has been a consistent attempt to discredit me as a public figure,” he said in a media briefing. This had taken the form of rumour-mongering, malicious gossip and leaking what was purported to be damaging information to the public through the press and on social media platforms.
The focus of these defamatory and untrue statements had been his private life, he said, including his recent divorce, personal finances and contribution to the democratic movement and organisations in the country.
The intensity of these attacks had escalated in recent weeks, he said. Most recently, on Friday March 11, he received a letter from the registrar of members’ interests at Parliament stating that a complaint had been made against him, alleging that he had not disclosed certain interests in the register.
“I wish to state that I have nothing to hide or to be ashamed of in terms of my private life, my finances or the role I have played over the years in the progressive political movement.
“My track record in respect of the latter is a matter of public record,” he said.
‘No evidence’
On the allegations about his finances, all the relevant information was with the registrar of members’ interests.
“These other documents, that in fact provide no evidence of non-disclosure on my part, were taken from my private files previously held at my home.
“They could only have come from one source. I can only say that I will be as pleased as any lottery winner to find that I do have these alleged millions as claimed by these faceless individuals.”
Should any of the investments he had made in mining exploration, all listed with the registrar, pay off, it would be a matter of public record.
“I will be responding to the baseless complaint made to the registrar this week and will make this response available to the public.
“I hope that the individuals behind these attacks will now move on and find their own peace.
“This kind of destructive harassment serves no fruitful purpose,” Dexter said. — Sapa