Press Releases
Kingston, Jamaica. April 10, 2024: The Opposition is appalled, though not surprised, by the crass display of arrogance by Information Minister Robert Morgan in his response to media queries regarding the improper and unjust public letter of reprimand issued by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Juliet Holness, to former Parliamentary Clerk Ms. Valrie Curtis.
Shadow Minister of Information Ms Nekeisha Burchell said, “The Information Minister‘s dismissive attitude is symptomatic of a Government that has lost its way in serving the people, crudely resisting accountability and flippantly dismissing the legitimate criticisms from a broad cross-section of media, civil society, unions, and the Opposition about a matter which exposes a worrying tendency of misuse of power in the country.”
She continued, “That pattern of abuse was exacerbated yesterday in Parliament when the Government used its control of the House to bar the Opposition from raising the issue. The Government’s refusal to answer the criticisms in this matter demonstrates blatant disregard for accountability and transparency and is the antithesis of responsible governance,” said Ms Burchell.
Ms Burchell reiterated that “This affair underscores this Government’s arrogance and disrespect towards the Jamaican people. Ms. Valrie Curtis dedicated decades of her life in service to this country, and it is deeply troubling to witness her being unjustly vilified on the eve of her retirement.”
The Opposition again calls upon the Government to publicly acknowledge the gravity of this matter. It is imperative that the Speaker shows appropriate contrition to rectify this injustice by withdrawing her offensive letter and offering a sincere public apology to Ms Valrie Curtis. Anything short of this would be a betrayal of the principles of fairness, natural justice, and accountability that should guide our democracy.
