PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller said yesterday that the $31-million donation from Dutch firm, Trafigura Beheer, to the People’s National Party (PNP) resulted from a “service agreement” between the Dutch firm and CCOC (Colin Campbell Our Candidate) Association.

The prime minister, who was responding to questions tabled previously by Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, on the controversial donation, said that the subject of the document, which was signed by both Trafigura and a representative of CCOC Association, was ostensibly a consultancy agreement whereby CCOC undertook to do a study of the local bauxite industry.

Asked by Golding if she had ascertained the nature of the agreement between CCOC and Trafigura Beheer, and to provide details of the agreement to the House of Representatives, the prime minister said:

“Trafigura Beheer made a contribution to the People’s National Party in September 2006. The contribution was paid into an account in the name of CCOC Association and was facilitated by a document signed by the donors and a representative of CCOC Association. The document was described as a service agreement, the subject of which was ostensibly a consultancy agreement, whereby CCOC undertook to do a study of the bauxite industry.”

However, despite concerns raised by Opposition MPs as to who signed the document on behalf of CCOC, and whether she had documentary proof to show that the money was returned to the Dutch firm, Simpson Miller refused to offer any further details.

She told the House that she was advised by Senator Campbell that he did not sign any documentation relative to Trafigura Beheer.

Asked by the opposition leader whether she sought to obtain a copy of the agreement between CCOC and Trafigura, Simpson Miller said her advice was that no such documentation was available.

“I did ask, I was not able to attain it,” she added.

Asked by Golding whether she was able to ascertain the precise nature of the study referred to in the agreement, and the terms of payment to be made, the prime minister said she was not able to.

Spokesman on mining and energy, Clive Mullings, asked whether, in light of the fact that Campbell then had portfolio responsibilities for the bauxite/alumina sector, whether she sought further proof that he was telling the truth when he said he did not sign the document, instead of relying on his word.

“I had no basis on which to proceed any further,” the prime minister responded.

But when asked by Opposition MP Karl Samuda whether the consultancy suggested in the agreement between CCOC and Trafigura was undertaken, the prime minister said, “my advice is that the money was a contribution to the People’s National Party and so there was no consultancy”.

Asked whether she felt Campbell did anything wrong, Simpson Miller suggested, instead, that both parties in Parliament seek to correct the situation to ensure that “no one will be able to collect any contribution for any of the political parties”.

And when Opposition MP Karl Samuda asked her whether it was appropriate that Campbell should remain in the Senate, the prime minister said, “that was within his own guilt”.