Mark on land deal allegation: Imbert must show stamp duty receipt

Wade Mark -
Wade Mark -

OPPOSITION Senator Wade Mark on Thursday told Newsday that Finance Minister Colm Imbert must produce all relevant documents including a receipt for stamp duty to prove his acquisition of land at Picton Street, Port of Spain was above-board.

After Mark had questioned the deal in the Senate on Tuesday, Imbert made a statement in the Senate on Wednesday and later held a virtual briefing where he challenged Mark to repeat his remarks outside of the protection of Parliament. While his Senate statement had said how the stamp duty was calculated but did not state a figure, at his briefing Imbert said he had paid $37,500.

Mark on Thursday said he was in possession of documentation relating to the land deal which he will give to the media but was first giving Imbert the chance to disclose. He questioned Imbert’s acquisition of land by way of buying a company.

“Where is the deed of conveyance? He must show how much he paid for the land and for the stamp duty.”

Mark then said he had never accused Imbert of wrongdoing.

“I never cast aspersions on the gentleman’s good name or character but on the public’s behalf I asked him to explain the entire transaction by producing all the documents not some.”

While Imbert had told the Senate he had the stamp duty receipt in his hand, Mark criticised him for not publicising it nor lodging a copy in Parliament. He said Imbert should also publicise the Town and Country Planning receipt for approval to build. He hoped Imbert would indicate when had he applied for this approval and when had it been granted.

“I cast no aspersions. I never accused the gentleman of wrongdoing. He’s an honourable gentleman who would not do anything that is not above-board.”

Newsday asked Mark for his response to Imbert's challenge to step outside of Parliament to repeat his Senate remarks from Tuesday.

Mark said, “My only reply is he is yet to make all records surrounding the transaction available to the public. Then we can take this matter further."

Mark said he would not get into a to-and-fro engagement with Imbert.

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