Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Embattled Information and Development Minister, Colin Campbell, has been forced to resign from the Cabinet and from his post as general secretary of the People's National Party (PNP).

The resignation, which takes effect today, comes almost one week after Opposition Leader, Bruce Golding, divulged information that Trafigura Beheer, a Dutch company with business arrangements with the Government, made a $31 million transaction to an account called CCOC Associates which bears Mr. Campbell's signature.

A statement from the PNP hierarchy yesterday also said the $31 million is to be returned to the Dutch company.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister said Mr. Campbell tendered his resignation in view of the 'misunderstandings' that have emerged regarding the funds received by the party from Trafigura Beheer.

In his letter of resignation addressed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Campbell admitted that he met with the executives of Trafigura in August to assist the party as it prepares for a general election.

"The offer was for a contribution and I made arrangements for the funds to be paid into the campaign account, in accordance with their wish for confidentiality. As you know, this is not usual," he said.

Mr. Campbell also admitted that he had not shared the full details of the arrangement with party members.

"It is regrettable that I had not shared the full details with you, the chairman, the legal adviser or any other officer of the party. For this I take full responsibility," he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller says she will be assuming responsibilities for the portfolios held by Minister Campbell.

The Prime Minister also urged that her party be vigilant in creating appropriate and transparent mechanisms to guard the integrity of campaign financing in accordance with the recommendations of the PNP's annual conference last month.

The PNP had claimed that the $31 million was a donation by Trafigura and not state funds.

But responding to a query from Hot 102/CVM News, Trafigura denied the Governments claims stating that the transaction was a "commercial agreement with CCOC Associates and payments were made under that agreement."

In another statement issued yesterday Trafigura again stated that no direct payment was made to any political party. The company also said it was aware that CCOC has political links to the PNP.

"Payments by CCOC to maintain and support political affiliations and development are entirely within its rights. However, despite there being no prohibition under the laws of Jamaica, no direct funding was made to any political party by Trafigura," read a section of the statement.

"The Company accepts that where payments are made to entities that have political affiliations, it may well result in perceptions of conflict. Trafigura strongly refutes any other connotation that may have been put on this matter." It further said: "Trafigura also regrets any misunderstanding that may have been caused by misperceptions of its earlier statement. No illegality has therefore occurred."

Last Tuesday, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding told journalists at a press conference that between September 6 and 12, prior to the PNP Conference, a transaction totalling $31 million was transferred to an account at FirstCaribbean International Bank known as CCOC Association.

Following the revelation, an employee of the bank was fired for leaking confidential customer information.

Another employee was also sent on leave to facilitate further investigations into the issue.

In the meantime, it is reported that lawyers representing both the PNP and the bank are in negotiations to stave of a court case arising from the release of information relating to the CCOC account.