ATTORNEY-GENERAL DALE MARSHALL has no problem with Veco USA Incorporated continuing to build Barbados' new prison despite its legal troubles.

Marshall said he met with executives of Veco recently to discuss its legal issues and came to the conclusion "that any issues in relation to the United States has absolutely no connection to Barbados, or no connection at all to the construction of the prison".

Veco USA Incorporated was hired by Government to build the new multi-million-dollar prison at Dodds, St Philip.

The charges relate to three political figures accepting bribes or the promise of future work to benefit an Alaska-based oil services company.

"The issues in relation to bribery and corruption are issues which are being dealt with by a United States court. The chief executive officer of the company [Bill J. Allen] has pleaded guilty to bribery charges and resigned his position.

A-G 'satisfied'

"But I am satisfied that the company's relationship with Barbados and the work they are doing for the Government of Barbados has at all times been entirely above board, and at no time is there any hint of a scandal in relation to the contracting of that company for the work on the prison or other work that they have previously done for the Barbados Government," the Attorney-General said.

Marshall also refuted claims that one of the accused, Pete Kott, was offered a job as warden at Dodds in exchange for his support of a proposed gas pipeline and a tax bill.

"I have been assured by Veco that they have always understood that the appointment of any individual to work in the Civil Service in Barbados was a matter for the Government of Barbados.

"They have assured me they never made any representation to any individual that they could or would be posted to Barbados to work as a prison warden or any post in the Government of Barbados," said Marshall after the church service in commemoration of the 69th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Barbados Labour Party at St Patrick's Anglican Church, St Patrick's, Christ Church. (TM)