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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>I am getting death threats, says Daryl Vaz</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Observer Reporter
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
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<P class=StoryText align=justify>JAMAICA Labour Party deputy treasurer Daryl Vaz says he and his family have been receiving death threats since the Trafigura scandal broke last Tuesday.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz, who yesterday met with detectives about the matter, said the threats stemmed from rumours that he was involved in the leaking of confidential account information leading up to the Trafigura scandal.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"For some reason, the rumour has been circulating that my wife worked at the bank [FirstCaribbean International Bank] and then when they realised she didn't, they started saying I had a girlfriend in the bank," Vaz told the Observer.
"I didn't realise how widespread this rumour is along the length and breadth of Jamaica," he added.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz said since last week he has been receiving telephone calls in which callers have accused him of trying to "bring down the government".<P class=StoryText align=justify>Yesterday, he wrote to Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas requesting an investigation into the threats.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"Based on the magnitude of this matter, including the resignation of one minister. I find it necessary to formally report these threats and to ask you to investigate," Vaz said in his letter.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz said two hours after he sent the letter, the detectives met with him and took statements.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"The police have been very swift in their response," he said after the two-hour meeting.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz, who is also the JLP caretaker for Western Portland, said although the threats did not scare him, he felt the need to report them as a formality. He said the Trafigura scandal had created "political psychophants" such as the ones making the threatening calls.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds said yesterday that even though it was early days, the police were planning to do all they could.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"All threats or matters that people believe are threats are taken seriously," he told the Observer.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Trafigura scandal started last Tuesday, when Opposition Leader Bruce Golding announced that the People's National Party had received $31 million from the company, which also does business with the state.
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Observer Reporter
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P class=StoryText align=justify>JAMAICA Labour Party deputy treasurer Daryl Vaz says he and his family have been receiving death threats since the Trafigura scandal broke last Tuesday.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz, who yesterday met with detectives about the matter, said the threats stemmed from rumours that he was involved in the leaking of confidential account information leading up to the Trafigura scandal.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"For some reason, the rumour has been circulating that my wife worked at the bank [FirstCaribbean International Bank] and then when they realised she didn't, they started saying I had a girlfriend in the bank," Vaz told the Observer.
"I didn't realise how widespread this rumour is along the length and breadth of Jamaica," he added.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz said since last week he has been receiving telephone calls in which callers have accused him of trying to "bring down the government".<P class=StoryText align=justify>Yesterday, he wrote to Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas requesting an investigation into the threats.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"Based on the magnitude of this matter, including the resignation of one minister. I find it necessary to formally report these threats and to ask you to investigate," Vaz said in his letter.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz said two hours after he sent the letter, the detectives met with him and took statements.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"The police have been very swift in their response," he said after the two-hour meeting.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Vaz, who is also the JLP caretaker for Western Portland, said although the threats did not scare him, he felt the need to report them as a formality. He said the Trafigura scandal had created "political psychophants" such as the ones making the threatening calls.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds said yesterday that even though it was early days, the police were planning to do all they could.<P class=StoryText align=justify>"All threats or matters that people believe are threats are taken seriously," he told the Observer.<P class=StoryText align=justify>The Trafigura scandal started last Tuesday, when Opposition Leader Bruce Golding announced that the People's National Party had received $31 million from the company, which also does business with the state.