Gov’t brushes aside calls to name Manatt donor

The Golding government has brushed aside a challenge from the People's National Party (PNP) to name the donor who funded the hiring of US law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips.

Information Minister Daryl Vaz made it clear on Wednesday, at the Post Cabinet press briefing, that the government has no intention of giving the Opposition what it wants.

Last week the PNP President challenged the government to name whoever donated the money to pay the US law firm and therefore prove that there was a contract between the JLP and Manatt as the Prime Minister has claimed.

The Information Minister told journalists that this was not going to happen.

“The confidentiality of a donor, unless that donor is prepared to allow for disclosure, then it is a breach because when you were going to seek funding for the party you never went there on the basis that you were going to disclose yourself but again you can only go as far as releasing that information with full permission from that particular donor,” Mr. Vaz said.

Solicitor General safe
It was also clear from the Information Minister's response that Solicitor General Douglas Leys, whom the PNP has called for to resign or be fired, still enjoyed the confidence of the government.

“I can only say that the government would enjoy full confidence if no action has been taken at this point,” Mr. Vaz said.

In the meantime, Mr. Vaz said Prime Minister Bruce Golding will meet with members of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) on Thursday as he begins a series of discussions with civil society groups about the Manatt affair as well as other matters.

He said other groups have also asked for meetings.

No anti-media sentiment

The Information Minister also defended Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, who has come in for criticism, for accusing The Gleaner of publishing propaganda about him, as well as saying sections of the media are trying to destabilise his government.

When asked whether the Prime Minister's comments would not make JLP supporters hostile, and possibly violent, to media workers, the Information Minister had this to say,

“Let me first of all assure you and call on all well thinking [individuals] and all others that support the Jamaica Labour Party and this present government that we support nothing untoward toward any media house or any member of any media house,” Mr. Vaz said.