Premier Ewart Brown's political campaigner Andre Curtis today hit back at his critics by insisting he has lined up ten faith-based tourism events to justify his $400,000 payment of taxpayers' money.

Mr. Curtis also launched an attack on former Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert, who has repeatedly questioned how the cash is being spent and suggested the scheme is the Premier's way of getting cash to his campaigner as a thank you gesture.

At a press conference, Mr. Curtis finally broke his silence over the issue by providing brief details on ten scheduled events, between May 2007 and March 2008, to which he said a total of $200,000 had been allocated.

He also produced a document stating that $200,000 was being spent on salaries for faith-based tourism during 2007-08.

"Government or the Premier can't just write you a cheque for $400,000," said Mr. Curtis. "They have a list of criteria that you have to meet before anyone can just give you money."

Mr. Curtis then produced a copy of his contract spelling out the conditions of the payment to his company Harvest Investment Holdings.

These include signing an agreement listing details of ten events, providing copies of letters from sponsors and giving written updates and a final report summarising the initiative. However, a breakdown of how much Harvest Investment would get paid for meeting each condition was omitted.

Mr. Curtis offered to repay $2 which he claimed Mr. Furbert had contributed to a collection at a multi-faith event at the National Sports Centre last year.

"Mr. Furbert said that... he felt like he was taken advantage of," he said. "In watching the DVD of the event, during the collection time I watched Wayne Furbert put a crumpled up $2 bill in the offering plate.

"I have here $2 and I will mail it to him because I do not wish him to feel taken advantage of as he indicated."

He added that his family had been hurt by the recent allegations, stating: "I have a daughter that's in college, sitting her final exams. This has badly shaken my family and traumatised us. It's very hurtful and very painful and unwarranted."

For the full story, see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.