(Antigua Sun) American rap star P. Diddy has received an extravagant birthday present from Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer it has been reported.

The New York Post reported in its Monday edition under the headline ‘Diddy’s lavish gifts’ that Diddy may have blown a fortune on his lavish 40th birthday celebration, but got some nice gifts in return.

Among the gifts was a vacation for ten people at the exclusive Jumby Bay Resort, including a private jet for the rapper and his friends. But a press release has cleared the air on who the gift really was from, and it turns out that Tourism Ambassador June Ambrose, celebrity stylist to the stars, was the person behind the extravagant present given to P. Diddy.

The release quoted Ambrose as saying, “I believe that Antigua and Barbuda has so much to offer as a high end, undiscovered destination and I want to introduce Sean and some of my other clients to come and experience all that we have to offer.”

Ambrose met the US Tourism Team and the Public Relations firm Portfolio Marketing Group that represents the destination in the US to discuss various niche markets where the destination could be appropriately positioned. She has also identified several goodwill platforms that can be developed with celebrity partners to promote the performing and fine arts.

According to Tourism Director, Derede Samuel-Whitlock, “Ms Ambrose brings a lot of vision and new energy to the team and is very proud of her title. We believe that the Tourism Ambassador Award programme will help strengthen ties in the diaspora by establishing role models who can help elevate the country’s image and set goals and standards for the future success of this twin island nation.” As the news makes the rounds, not everyone is convinced that monies from the treasury were not expended. Antiguans and Barbudans at home and overseas have been sounding off through blogging sites and many of them are not happy at what they are learning.

One blogger expressed outrage, saying at a time when the country is going through tough economic times, and is pleading with international financial institutions for assistance, the government is showering gifts on the wealthy and their friends.