Communications consultant to the Ministry of Transport and Works, Reginald Allen, said the board of the JUTC had taken a decision to have Sangster remain in the position until December 31, allowing them time to find a successor.

"He is there until the 31st of December, subject, of course, to the DPP's (director of public prosecutions) ruling," said Allen.

"If it is a positive ruling, he may not need to go off on leave and if it is a negative ruling, he would automatically go off immediately," he explained.

PNP shocked at decision

Yesterday, the Opposition People's National Party expressed shock at the decision to retain Sangster and asked that the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works assume responsibility for the running of the bus company.

"It's nothing short of scandalous that Mr Sangster remains at the JUTC while a matter that he is implicated in, involving criminal overtones, has been referred to the director of public prosecutions for a ruling," said Robert Pickersgill, spokesman on transport and works.

Contractor General Greg Christie has opined that Sangster attempted to mislead him by way of voluntary declarations he made during a probe at the bus company.

Christie's findings revealed several breaches of government's procurement guidelines. It also found acts of corruption on the part of its late chairman, Douglas Chambers.

Documentary evidence which could support Christie's claim that Sangster tried to mislead the contractor general has been sent to the DPP.

Contacted yesterday, Sangster would offer no comment as to why he was still at work and when he intended to leave the JUTC.

Lambasted media

Instead, he lambasted the media for their handling of the story, claiming that it caused his wife to have a heart attack.

"I have nothing to say. Not even merry Christmas to you or any other member of the press. Two o'clock Friday morning I had to wake up and take my wife to the hospital with a heart attack because of what you have all been going on with," said Sangster.

Meanwhile, Pickersgill has renewed his call for Prime Minister Bruce Golding to fire Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry.

- D.L.