A demand for answers on CIP scandal

Opposition parties are demanding answers from the government after news surfaced that wanted Indian billionaire, Mehul Choksi, is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
Chairman of the main opposition United Progressive Party, Giselle Isaac says the matter is a major concern for the party.
On Tuesday, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) confirmed that Choksi was granted citizenship in November of 2017.
According to news coming from of India, Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, both diamond tycoons, are alleged to have colluded with two employees of the Punjab National Bank in an over $1.8 billion US dollar fraud scheme.
Observer Media had reached out to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, the minister with responsibility for the Citizenship by Investment Programme, but he told the newsroom to direct questions on the matter to the police.
However, Isaac is calling for PM Browne to break what she calls the “frightening silence” on the issue.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Alliances (DNA) spokesperson for finance, economic development and corporate government, Anthony Stuart says his party is also unsettled by the scandal involving Choksi.
Stuart warns of the fallout from the scandal. He says more countries may, like Canada, impose visa restrictions on the twin island state.
The DNA spokesman reiterated the party’s belief that it’s time to put an end to the Citizenship by Investment Programme.