Roban: There's no conflict of interest with HSBC

In a statement released today, Mr. Roban said he is in no longer linked professionally or personally to the bank as he had stopped working for them in December of 2010.

“The allegations, made in the public domain this week, were in the context that Minister Roban would benefit through this link from the passing of the Special Development Order for Tucker’s Point in that it would prevent the hotel from going into receivership.

“The allegations went on to claim that this would ultimately allow HSBC, who hold the mortgage for the Tucker’s Point Club, to get a repayment on the loan, which was issued to the Tucker’s Point Club.”

He took a leave of absence from August 2009 to December 2009 to fulfill ministerial duties and was not paid.

“In response to further allegations, Minister Roban confirmed that as an employee of HSBC he was not involved in discussions about how Tucker’s Point Club could find a way to pay back its loan to HSBC. 

“Nor did HSBC at any time present him with a plan to build private residences at Tucker’s Point Club and never was he involved in drafting such a plan.