Owner of Ross Advertising, Ernie Ross, is rubbishing allegations by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that his advertising company got contracts through State companies which were used to hide payments to Cambridge Analytica.
Ross also said he has submitted copies of Rowley’s allegations to his London-based lawyers and said he would be guided by their legal response.
In an interview with Guardian Media yesterday, Ross described the link Rowley made between his contracts with State agencies and payments to Cambridge Analytica as “pure poppycock”.
“I am incensed that someone could go on a platform and completely fabricate a story out of nothing,” Ross said.
“I have had absolutely no contact with Cambridge Analytica. Absolutely never had any,” he said.
Ross was the People’s Partnership favoured advertiser during their time in office. However, Ross said his work with politics and political campaigns straddle several administrations.
“I’ve worked with Basdeo Panday, Patrick Manning and of course the PP, why is my work now being tarnished and targeted?” Ross said.
“It reeks of desperation,” he said.
Ross said during the 2001 snap election that resulted in the 18/18 split, Ross Advertising was the PNM’s advertiser of choice.
“But you won’t hear these things on a PNM political platform. They are quick to make it look like I am a UNC advertiser,” he said.
Ross said it was unclear to him how Rowley made the link between legitimate contracts through State agencies and payments to Cambridge Analytica.
“Absolutely not a shred of evidence, absolute fabrication. It is preposterous that I have to respond to this,” Ross said.
He said Rowley’s attempt to link him to Cambridge Analytica payments was “spurious and defamatory”.
He also warned the media against repeating the statements made by Rowley as that too was grounds for a defamation lawsuit.
Guardian Media reached out to Rowley for a response but he did not respond to calls or texts.
