KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament (MP) Donovan Williams is firing back at Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr Alfred Dawes, after what he describes as defamatory and misleading allegations regarding the $31 million purchase of a single neuro drill.

During a media conference on Tuesday, Dr Dawes again called attention to the controversial purchase of the medical drill for the Bustamante Hospital for Children, this time, implicating Williams. Dawes, in the past, alleged that the medical drill was purchased above market value.

READ: Explain $31m surgical drill purchase — Dr Dawes

“Dawes appears to have extended himself beyond his area of expertise and, in doing so, has made false statements and innuendos concerning me. I wish to make it very clear that I know nothing about the reported purchase of the drill or any negotiations or discussions involving its purchase. In fact, I first became aware of the transaction when it was reported on in the news. To be clear, Dawes’ suggestion that I may have derived any benefit from the purchase which he framed as improper, is false, mischievous and defamatory,” Williams said Tuesday.

Indicating the possibility of legal action, the MP sought to clarify his connection to the company in question.

“A search of the Companies Office records will show that my name is reflected as one of the shareholders in the company referenced. However, I do not now, nor have I ever owned a beneficial interest in the company. In other words, I am not entitled to nor have I shared in the profits of this company. My name being listed as a shareholder in this company merely reflects that I was designated as a trustee in my capacity as an attorney-at-law. The assertion by Dawes that I own the company is reckless and misleading,” Williams said.

Williams doubled down on his statement indicating that after the incorporation of the company in 2007 he was retained as a trustee in 2009 and following a legal dispute “it was made clear and accepted by all that I had no beneficial interest in the said shares nor ever did and, for the avoidance of doubt, at no time have I ever asserted such an interest”.

Williams insisted that this was a matter of verifiable record and had been declared to the appropriate authorities. He added that the matter was resolved in 2022, indicating that his attorneys have since prepared the necessary documents to facilitate the shares being passed to the beneficial owner.

“Removing my name as a shareholder of this company from the Companies Office is therefore now just a matter of formality,” he explained.

Williams continued, “Dawes is quite mistaken, and he was reckless to have taken the time to prepare and call a media conference without having first reached out to me for comment and clarification. The questions he posed to me in the media conference, I could have addressed in a simple telephone call.”

Williams called on Dawes to do the “honourable thing” and issue an apology, maintaining that he would welcome any investigations, as they would further vindicate his position and reputation.