The following is the text of the letter of resignation from Information Minister Colin Campbell to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller:

As General Secretary, I met with a group of executives from Trafigura Baheer in August, further to their offer to assist the Party as it prepares for a general election. The offer was for a contribution and I made the arrangements for the funds to be paid into the campaign account, in accordance with their wish for confidentiality. As you know, this is not unusual.

This brings to the fore the urgent need for reforming the way in which political parties handle campaign funding.

The responsibility for the specifics of this arrangements was that of the general secretary.

Having regard to the size of the contribution, it is regrettable that I had not shared the full details with you, the chairman, the legal advisor or any other officer of the Party. For this I take full responsibility. Please accept that at all times I acted with probity and in good faith in the receipt and disbursement of these funds.

In view of the controversy that has developed, I feel obliged to resign as Minister of Information and Development and as General Secretary of our great Party, effective Monday October 9, 2006. This is consistent with the principles and traditions of the People’s National Party and which I personally hold dear.

Thank you for the opportunity to have served and I look forward to working with you and the Party for our country in the future.

Colin Campbell

Minister