A diplomat at the Gambia High Commission in London, Bamba Mass,

has called an internal audit report at the embassy that accused him of defrauding the Gambia Government a “witch-hunt”.

Mr Mass, who is the protocol and welfare officer at the embassy, was accused of defrauding the government to the tune of £16,335 (GMD 1,034,081). 

The audit report accused Mr Mass of falsifying rental contractual documents, overstating rent payments, issuing fake invoices and receipts and subletting his diplomatic house. 

However Mr Mass has denied the allegations levelled against him. “I refute all the points the internal auditor made against me.”

He claimed that the internal audit report was never brought to his attention by the embassy. 

“The audit was based on connection [sic] and conspiracy and not professionally conducted. I was even more surprised with the management response,” Mr Mass told the Standard newspaper. 

He said internal audits should not be used at the expense of government to settle “personal scores or vested interest”.

Mr Mass claimed The Gambia government owed him money (about £23,000). 

He said he would fight to “clear what I considered as an affront on my character, reputation and integrity.”