Controversial Commonwealth SG Who Is Under Alleged Tender Fraud Investigation Makes Statement on Guyana’s Election
Lady Scotland, the controversial Commonwealth secretary general, who will remain in post until next year, despite Downing Street sowing doubts about her future.
Following reports that Boris Johnson had used his role as chair of the Commonwealth organisation to prevent Scotland’s reappointment, she has been given a formal written contract to remain in post at least until the next Commonwealth heads of government summit, which is likely to take place in mid-2021 in Rwanda.
Scotland has been under fire from Downing Street for alleged profligacy and internal audits which revealed some contracts had been offered outside the normal competitive tendering process.
In a snippet of her statement she stated, The CARICOM Report was clear that the recount results represented the will of the people of Guyana as expressed on 2 March 2020 when they exercised their right to vote.
It has recently been reported that the Chief Elections Officer has presented results to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that do not reflect that which was certified at the end of the recount process. If this is indeed true, it would be contrary to the fundamental principles which are treasured by the Commonwealth family and are enshrined in our Commonwealth Charter.
We call on all responsible parties to consider the consequences to Guyana’s reputation as a democratic country if such an approach was allowed to stand.
UK officials deny that the nucleus of opposition to Scotland is coming from the Anglosphere nations, but it is true that she enjoys strong support from the Caribbean nations and smaller states.
Scotland was attorney general under Gordon Brown, and the timing of the UK’s objections are said to be linked to her politics and whether they will stand in the way as the government forges ahead with setting up a new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The “global Britain” agenda is likely to give a central role to the Commonwealth, and if Downing Street is determined to oust Scotland, Britain will have to organise support for an alternative candidate before next year’s summit. The UK regards the Commonwealth as an asset. Buckingham Palace will be watching the row with concern.