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Amidst the controversy surrounding leaked letters of endorsement, the Richard Lewis for leadership team has issued a statement refuting any involvement in the leak.
The team’s response comes in the form of an internal memo seen by ANR, where they unequivocally deny responsibility for the leaked endorsement letters.
In their response to allegations suggesting that they leaked the letters to the media, the Richard Lewis team emphasized the following points:
Source of Leak: The team categorically denies being responsible for the leaked endorsement letters that surfaced in the media.
Disassociation from Media Leaks: They clarify that the leak should not be attributed to them or their campaign, as they maintain strict adherence to ethical campaign practices.
Commitment to Integrity: The memo underscores their commitment to conducting a campaign based on integrity and transparency, without resorting to tactics that compromise these values.
This clarification from the Richard Lewis team aims to dispel any speculation linking them to the leak and underscores their dedication to maintaining ethical standards throughout the campaign.
Here is the full internal memo obtained by ANR dated March 13, 2024
UPP MPs Clear the Air on Leaked Letters of Endorsement
Some confusion has recently arisen in the public space regarding letters of endorsement, which were internally distributed, exclusively to UPP members.
Here are the facts:
1. The UPP Central Executive appointed a Convention Management Committee (CMC) to oversee the entire Convention process, and to outline the rules governing the conduct of all candidates, endorsers and surrogates. The rules are all consistent with the UPP Constitution’s Code of Conduct.
2. The CMC rules allow for direct campaign communications with members of UPP branches and other party units, the majority of whom will be appointed to vote at the Convention as delegates. Each branch nominates 24 delegates.
3. Prior to proceeding with the sharing our endorsement of Hon. Richard Lewis with active UPP branch members, efforts were made to reach out to Hon. Jamale Pringle.
4. On Wednesday 6 March, the distribution of the Richard Lewis pamphlet to the the 16 UPP branches commenced, with copies being provided to branch chairpersons or other senior branch members, for onward distribution. The pamphlet also contained the letters of endorsement.
6. The pamphlet and endorsement letters were disseminated exclusively to bona fide active members, within the UPP branches.
7. At no time were any endorsement letters or the Richard Lewis pamphlet sent to the media.
8. On Monday 11 March, photos of the endorsement letters and the Richard Lewis pamphlet appeared in the media.
In short, we complied with all CMC rules governing internal campaign activities, and there was no campaigning or endorsing conducted via the media.
While leaks are common and unfortunate, especially in small societies, any statements or insinuations suggesting direct contact with the media, or violations of CMC rules, are baseless and without merit.
We ask those who are deliberately spreading misinformation, which undermines party unity, to immediately cease and desist.
We are all confident that once the reasonable rules laid out by the Convention Management Committee are followed, party unity will be easily preserved, and further strengthened.
Some concerns have also arisen about the endorsements themselves.
Endorsements are a common practice in the political process, including within UPP Conventions. Our esteemed former Political Leader, Harold Lovell, circulated a pamphlet with endorsements to UPP members during a previous Convention. This is all in keeping with a healthy democratic process, which empowers all participants to make informed decisions.
It is our strong expectation that this UPP Convention will see the party becoming stronger and more formidable than ever.
We love the UPP.
We love Antigua and Barbuda.
And we remain steadfastly focused on serving all the citizens and residents of Antigua and Barbuda.
MP Kelvin SimonMP Anthony SmithMP Algernon Watts
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