“I dare anyone, manufacturer or newspaper owner to prove that I bought a spy equipment! I have never bought anything! I have never had anything in my possession!” an infuriated Dr. Leslie Ramsammy charged in a passion-filled address to the media yesterday.
Upset at media coverage on the persistent revelations in a US court about his alleged connection to drug trafficker Roger Khan and the statements on Wednesday that he authorized the purchase of Khan’s infamous spy equipment on behalf of the present administration, the Health Minister lashed out saying that he has had enough.
He made a verbal statement to the media following a brief signing ceremony yesterday for the construction of a warehouse to store medical drugs. Ramsammy was firm that his statement on the issue of the US court trial was all that he would say, bluntly refusing to take any questions and snapping at a reporter who attempted to get a question in.
The Minister called the coverage in one section of the local press “unfair” and he raged against a particular headline which he said libelled him.
“How the hell do you know that?” Ramsammy asked angrily as he mentioned the headline in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News which read, ‘Dr. Ramsammy purchased spy equipment’.
Ramsammy continued that someone made the allegation, adding that he can make similar statements that are also not true.
“If I allege, say so, if somebody allege, say so, but when you put in the big headline Ramsammy purchase, it is libelling me. And you better have proof that that is so!” he thundered.
The Minister referred to the claims as “an old story” saying that it has popped up again and denied ever having knowledge of the spy equipment. Ramsammy said he has no idea what the spy machine is or information as to who sells such “things”. He repeated that he has never had any discussions with anyone about the equipment.
“I did not procure and I did not assist anyone to procure any [spy] equipment! I have never used such equipment and I have never discussed it with anybody, I don’t know who sold it, I don’t know if anybody came here…” he said dismissing claims by Robert Simels’ defence attorney that he was involved in the purchase of the equipment.
The Minister said that after all his years as a professional he wished that he had “that kind of money” referring to the US$75,000 that is needed to procure the spy equipment. Ramsammy said that his daughter is currently attending graduate school on a loan in the US.
“I don’t know what they look like, I don’t know what they are called, I don’t know how they work and I certainly have had no need to spy on anyone. I am being pellucid that I have never procured any kind of spy equipment”, he reiterated.
Ramsammy then dared the manufacturer of the spy equipment and or “any newspaper owner” to prove that he purchased the equipment. He said that the equipment was never in his possession. He added that an alleged murderer is making allegations against him and a section of the media is “presenting it to the public as a fact”.
“Do not destroy people’s character particularly people who have worked hard to create a lifestyle that is beyond question, I have served and I have lived a life beyond reproach and that is the fact!”, he added.
According to Ramsammy the media has a responsibility to report the facts.
“And what are the facts! The facts are that somebody alleged! The facts cannot be that I purchased! Somebody alleged I did”, he charged.
When a reporter put it to Ramsammy that his name is frequently being called in the US courtroom he fired back saying, “Each day I have heard rumours about each one of you here so that doesn’t make it right”.
“No! No! I have stated my case and that is the end of it. It is the goddamn end of it!” the minister said slamming his hand on the desk before storming out of the press briefing.
The Health Minister has been under pressure since the US court trial against Simels commenced on Monday, and had previously issued a statement distancing himself from the allegations about his connection to Khan.
He has emphasized that his statements yesterday are final and that he would not comment further on the issue.