By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and National Insurance Minister, Shane Gibson, yesterday said any decision on the fate of National Insurance Board (NIB) director Algernon Cargill was “not a Cabinet issue at this time”, adding that he wss considering whether an independent auditor be brought in to investigate the allegations against him.

These were contained in a 22-page letter by the NIB chairman, Greg Moss, which was selectively leaked to various media outlets at the weekend.

Mr Gibson, speaking on the issue following a Cabinet meeting yesterday, said he was disappointed that the the position of the NIB Board had been made public.

“That’s a situation we are dealing with internally at the Ministry, and as soon as we would have completed our investigation then we would advance it to where it is necessary to go,” he said.

“That’s not a Cabinet issue at this time. Obviously the Board has taken a position and I’m very disappointed that position was made known publicly. It wasn’t right the way it was done, and as soon as we are able to have it properly investigated then, of course, we will disclose the information that we find.”

Mr Gibson added: “I think at this stage it’s important for us to have independent auditors look at all of the things that were said, and determine whether or not they were true.

“It’s all alleged as far as I’m concerned so far, and it would be wrong for anyone to jump to conclusions without us having an opportunity to have it properly investigated by someone independent.

“I’m not sure who’s going to be appointed to look at the allegations. We have not initiated any investigation yet. I just received a letter on Thursday of last week. On Friday I was in Grand Bahama. On Saturday I understand it was on the Internet, which I think is disgraceful, and so now I have to make a decision as minister of how to proceed. My initial thought is to have an independent investigation to determine whether there is any truth to the allegations.”

Mr Cargill has served as director of NIB since 2008. In late May, the Public Managers Union and the Union of Public Officers took a vote of no confidence in Mr Cargill, but he retained his post as director. He was awarded a new four-year contract last year.