Bunting knocks Nelson's attack on Lewin
BY GARFIELD MYERS Editor-at-Large South Central Bureau
Thursday, July 08, 2010
MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Opposition Spokesman on National Security Peter Bunting has said that a reported bid by National Security Minister Dwight Nelson to silence former police commissioner Hardley Lewin using the Official Secrets Act, flies in the face of proposed whistle-blower legislation which the Government now has before Parliament.
"This is the same government that has a piece of legislation (in Parliament) called the Protected Disclosures Act or the Whistle-blower's Act (which provides) a framework for public interest disclosures regarding unlawful or irregular conduct by public or private sector employers," Bunting told a meeting of his Central Manchester Constituency in Mandeville last Sunday.
Bunting noted that the proposed legislation also "provides for the protection of persons making these disclosures".
Bunting said that recent "disclosures" made by Lewin regarding the government's alleged mishandling of the extradition process for accused drug and arms trafficker Christopher "Dudus" Coke were exactly the kind the proposed whistle-blower legislation was designed to facilitate.
"What do we have here? We have the former top cop making disclosures in the public interest and he is certainly speaking of irregular conduct if not unlawful conduct. And I want to ask the JLP administration to explain this inconsistency," said Bunting, who is the Member of Parliament for Central Manchester.
His audience included Opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller, leading politicians from the central region, former Mandeville Mayor Cecil Charlton, party workers, delegates and hard-core supporters.
Bunting charged that the government had been emboldened to bring the legislation to Parliament after an informant provided information leading to the so-called Trafigura scandal which rocked the PNP government in 2006.
But, said Bunting, the JLP was now finding that the "same knife stick sheep stick goat".
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7/9/2010
By the way, Mr. Lewin does not have to supply any evidence to anyone at this time. It is up to the Americans in time to answer all the burning questions. I can hardly wait!
7/8/2010
Why some people believe it is a foregone conclusion that Mr Lewin is telling the truth.I'm sure we have seen in the past many people of reputable character make statements that they could not present proof or evidence.
7/8/2010
The allegations made by Hardley Lewin are strong. Defend it Bruce do not embark on who said what. just bring him to court, let the evidence roll. I am sure a reputable man like Hardley Lewin would not make such strong allegations publicly if he does not have the evidence to back it up. I don't think Lewin can trust blurt out the evidence unless he is force to in a court of law. Bruce you can give him that opportunity.
7/8/2010
Fmr Com Lewin need to submit report on the matter rather than sensationalizing it. Obviously you not fearing any attempt at your life over this or you wouldn't have started it.
Is it that these allegations might hinder the Dudus process why you delay?
One thing is certain, you claim you not into any tracing match when obviously its one you want happen. Throughout your last assignment, you were a constant source of half truths and hearsay. You've never completed an accusation. Time 4 U 2 man up!
7/8/2010
Let our politicians fight. Its about time the old boys club was broken up for the benefit of JA. People need to know the truth.
7/8/2010
The Rear Admiral needs to get them in court. Let's see Nelson and Golding speak the truth under oath. You need to sue Lewin as you promised, Mr. Nelson. You need to sur Brady as you promised, Mr. Vaz. And you, Mr. Golding, need to sue ABC TV for accusing you of consorting with criminals. As you promised. Look at how you lambasted Peter Phillips in Parliament over the Manatt affair when the whole thing was true all along?
You guys have no shame. Sue away!
7/8/2010
Golding says," it wasn't me."
Is this a case of throwing Nelson under the bus in true BG style?
7/8/2010
Comm. Lewin would not make those remarks if he didn't have the evidence to support it., the man is no fool. Nelson is running scared so now he wants to gag the comm.but the PM evidently has learnt a valuable lesson, he may have to apologise again if he jumps on Nelsons bandwagon.
7/8/2010
Got that right, Mister Bond. We get to choose between slick and smart three-card con artists or a covey of buffoons, each with two left feet.
7/8/2010
I doubt very much that the whistle blower act will pass in parliament. It would have the effect of reducing the power of the Parliamentarians in both parties. Watch!
7/8/2010
Everything that the clowns said when they were in opposition are coming back to bite them in their a****.
Continue to keep them honest Peter
7/8/2010
Lewin needs to say more--once it smacks of strange coincidences, corruption or abuse of power.
The Rear Admiral must also be willing to take whatever consequences the state may think it convenient to impose upon him, once he is conviced that a public wrong has taken place.
That is the type of transformational leadership that is required.
JA Cynic
7/8/2010
Does Mr. Buntin in his opinion, honestly feels that this Protected Disclosures Act or the Whistle-blower's legislation is good for the people (country), or does he see it as something to get back at the each other? This "same knife stick sheep stick goat," argument lead me to believe that it is still the old school political mentality, where they talk out of two sides of their mouths, it is all about the party and little or nothing to do with the people. Meanwhile, the people are demanding transparency, they need to know that those in office are fair and law abiding and that is not too much to ask. Thanks you very much!
7/8/2010
Does Mr Bunting knows something that the rest of us don't? Where is the evidence that Mr Coke was tipped off? Mr Lewin who made the allegation, all of a sudden refuse to talk to the media on the matter. If Mr Nelson as Minister of National Security had kept silence, we would assume that Mr Lewin was telling the truth. A case of damn if you speak, damn if you keep silence.
Public figures should not be allowed to make damaging statement absent of facts. This only leads to speculation.
7/8/2010
What do you call an attack Come on guys, someone accuses you at that level and you are saying that Nelson should not respond. Put the shoe on your feet. What would you do? I agree that the matter needs to be investigated. Thats what needs to be demanded, let the truth comes out.
7/8/2010
Gosh...the PNP are 10 steps ahead of the JLP. Nelson made a very big mistake opening his mouth regarding Lewin's allegations, It is obvious the PM as learned from his mistakes and has declined to address the issue. What will Nelson do when Lewin present damaging evidence. The present Gov is clueless, careless and reckless with the running of the state. The PNP has all the ammo to bring them down, as they are playing the cards very timely with surgical precision. Bruce cards are all jokers
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