[UPDATED] Former agency head calls for SSA probe

FORMER head of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) Matthew Andrews yesterday called for an in-depth probe of the spy agency, by way of a commission of enquiry or the use of a foreign expert. He made the call at a press briefing at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, held to defend his tenure from allegations of racism levelled by SSA former head of intelligence Carlton Dennie on a UNC platform last Monday.

Andrews said, over the past 15 years, a lot of issues had arisen and much wrongdoing had occurred at the SSA. “I’m humbly asking the authorities to investigate. A lot of wrongdoing will be discovered.”

In the question session, he said accountability was needed in many areas of public life and the SSA was no different.

“There were many, many issues, some above my pay grade. The saga continues.”

He recalled toiling at 3 am and 4 am nightly to get things done on time for his line minister.

“It was pain. But I deliver. To know what is happening now...it is a travesty.”

He flatly denied race allegations against him as a “pathological lie.” He said under his tenure only four people were fired from the SSA and three were African and just one was East Indian.

He denied Dennie’s claims of being ordered to fire East Indians by saying Dennie never had such powers in that post.

Andrews said his attorney would issue a pre-action protocol to Dennie. “Others will do what they have to do,” he added, alluding to similar legal action.

“I give the assurance that the utterances on the platform will be dealt with by my attorney, Frank Peterson.”

Andrews said, if left unchecked, Dennie’s claims would make him (Andrews) look culpable and send the SSA down a terrible path.

“I don’t know if he wants to get into Parliament which is good, but do not use Mr Andrews as any floor mat.”

He said he had many trump cards to publicly present, once he received official clearance.

Andrews said Dennie often used to do his own thing.

“He was a law unto himself. It was something of mass proportions.

“Nothing would surprise me with Mr Dennie, given what goes on in the agency.”

Citing what he said were letters from unnamed SSA staff, Andrews alleged several questionable incidents. Those included the damage of $3 million in equipment which disrupted the SSA’s communications network, and the attempted sale to the Ministry of National Security of a device for $25 million.

This story was originally published with the title "Probe SSA, urged Andrews" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

FORMER head of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA,) Matthew Andrews, today called for an in-depth probe of the spy agency, by way of a commission of enquiry or the use of a foreign expert.

He made the call at his briefing at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, held to defend his tenure from allegations of racism levelled by SSA former head of intelligence Carlton Dennie on a UNC platform recently.

Andrews said over the past 15 years, a lot of issues had arisen and much wrongdoing had occurred at the SSA. ‘I’m humbly asking the authorities to investigate. A lot of wrongdoing will be discovered.” In the question session, he said accountability is needed in many areas of public life and the SSA was no different.

“There were many, many issues, some above my pay grade. The saga continues.” He recalled toiling at 3 am and 4 am nightly to get things done on time for his line minister. “It was pain. But I deliver. To know what is happening now...it is a travesty.”

He flatly denied race allegations against him as a “pathological lie.” He said under his tenure only four people were fired from the SSA and three were African and just one was East Indian.

Andrews said his attorney will issue a pre-action protocol to Dennie. He said he has many trump cards to publicly present, once he receives official clearance.