Beenie Man's former, manager Patrick Roberts, has dismissed as rubbish, Beenie's claim that he was being targeted because of his political affiliation.

On Monday following a court hearing in his tax evasion case, Beenie Man told persons gathered outside the court that he was coming under pressure because of his affiliation with the People's National Party.

However, following a press release in which the Jamaica Labour Party denied targeting Beenie Man, Roberts made a statement of his own on behalf of Beenie Man.

Misguided

The press release issued by the JLP yesterday, said it "dismissed as misguided, mischievous and absurd the claim by Mr. Moses Davis, popularly known as Beenie Man, that the tax case against him now before the court is a consequence of his being targeted by the new government because of his support of the PNP."

The JLP release also went on to state that, "the tax assessment levied on Mr. Davis and the action to recover, through the courts, was initiated long before the present government took office after the September 3rd elections."

When he spoke to The STAR yesterday, Roberts said Beenie was misguided. "I fully, ah hundred and fifty per cent back the Honourable Karl Samuda's statement, and it shows again the reality that my former artiste, speaks out of turn at times," Roberts said. Samuda was the contact named in the release.

Roberts said he was shocked by Beenie's claims. "Beenie Man has never been political and as much as I ran as a political candidate, Beenie has never got involved or contributed. He has always remained far from politics, apart from being charitable to both parties."

Spoke out of frustration

According to Roberts, "He (Beenie) probably spoke out of frustration, imagining all the problems that have been coming down on him recently."

Roberts also added that he had the utmost respect for the JLP.

"I don't see any sign of this new government targeting any artiste based on their political affiliation. And I have the highest respect for the Portfolio that this industry falls under. The Honourable Babsy Grange, she is like my second mother, other than my natural mother, Portia is my first, and I have the highest respect for Babsy," Roberts said.