Opposition Leader Bruce Golding. - file

Phillip Paulwell, the Minister of Industry, Commerce Science and Technology with Energy, has made good on his threat to sue Opposition Leader, Bruce Golding, for statements he made in connection with the payment of J$31million by Dutch company, Trafigura Beheer, to the People's National Party (PNP).

In a statement yesterday, Mr. Golding confirmed that Mr. Paulwell's lawyer had contacted him. He, however, declined to say on what grounds he was being sued.

Attempts yesterday to contact Mr. Paulwell to find out the nature of the lawsuit were futile.

Mr. Golding said, however, that he welcomed the "opportunity to defend in court the statements he made concerning the matter and to expose the full extent of Mr. Paulwell's involvement."

He said he has noted Mr. Paulwell's "deafening silence" both inside and outside of Parliament and has instructed his lawyers to file a defence in the lawsuit brought against him.

Intention made public

Mr. Paulwell made public his intention to sue at a PNP press conference more than two weeks ago, after Mr. Golding revealed the $31 million 'donation' at a hastily-called press briefing.

Colin Campbell had also threatened to sue but has since resigned his posts as Minister of Information and Development and PNP general secretary, after admitting to misleading party colleagues about the extent of his role in the affair.

Mr. Paulwell told The Gleaner last Friday that he would he issuing a statement on the matter that day, to include action against "some media houses."