JAMAICA | PNP Rebukes Morgan's Arrogance, Holness' refusal to Apologise to Former Clerk Valrie Curtis

Kingston, Jamaica. April 10, 2024: The Opposition People's National Party says it is appalled, though not surprised, by the crass display of arrogance by Information Minister Robert Morgan.

His arrogance is in relation to his response to media queries regarding the improper and unjust public letter of reprimand issued by House Speaker 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.”

“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,” She continued.

“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," Burchell said.

She observed 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 is again calling on the Government to publicly acknowledge the gravity of this matter, pointing out that 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, the statement by Ms Burchell said.

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