Gov’t continues to disrespect the J’can people – PNP

The People's National Party (PNP) has taken the statement issued by Daryl Vaz, Minister of Information on the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips matter as a declaration that the Government has said all it has to say on the matter.

In a release Tuesday afternoon, the Opposition suggested that there was nothing further for the Government and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to add in relation to the Manatt Phelps and Phillips issue. 

The PNP said this last ditch effort by the Information Minister to continue to stone-wall the Jamaican people on this issue is just not good enough.

According to the party, the Government's stance is reflective of the general contempt and disrespect that has been displayed by the Golding led-administration from the very outset when the matter was first raised in Parliament.

What about PM being briefed about the talks?

The Opposition further complained that the Government has made no effort to explain how, from as far back as September 2009, officials of the State including the Solicitor General, who is a civil servant, were continuously involved in briefing, consulting and advising officials of Manatt, while purportedly acting on behalf of the JLP as the Prime Minister claims, and not the Government of Jamaica.

Further, the PNP noted the Government has said nothing about the suggestion in the emails, about briefings with the Prime Minister and the Attorney General took place from as far back as 2009.

This, it noted, was while the Attorney General continued to maintain that she knew nothing of the matter until it was raised in Parliament in March. 

Still waiting for the complete truth

The PNP also argued that the Government has still not explained how it is that the JLP was involved in a State matter.

Further, the Opposition said it is evident that the people of Jamaica have still not received a complete and truthful account of all that transpired, or the objectives of the Government or the JLP in securing the help of the law firm.

The PNP ended by noting that the country has still not been told about the source of funds used to pay Manatt Phelps and Phillips.