The Jamaica Pegasus enjoys a good reputation with many world dignitaries opting to stay there while in Jamaica's capital.

Security measures at Kingston's largest and most prestigious hotel, the Jamaica Pegasus, have come under intense scrutiny following the death of Pakistan's former cricket coach, the Englishman Bob Woolmer.

Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room (Room 374) on Sunday, March 18, 2007. Later that day he was pronounced dead. Initially, his death was not deemed suspicious but local police, through the use of forensic evidence later concluded that he was murdered.

Investigative efforts led by Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields have yet to arrest possible assailants or to uncover conclusive evidence to determine just who murdered Woolmer.

The question remains as to who entered his room and how access was gained, turning attention on the Jamaica Pegasus's security measures. The hotel enjoys a good reputation with many world dignitaries opting to stay there while in Jamaica's capital. In recent memory, there has not been a murder mystery at the Pegasus, which has put the hotel under the intense spotlight of the world's media.

Earlier this week, a Pakistani senator blamed lax Cricket World Cup security in Jamaica for the murder of Woolmer. In an article appearing on the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) website Zafar Iqbal Chaudhary, chairman of Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Sports, was quoted as saying: "I would say that the lax security at the team's hotel may also share the blame for this heart-rending incident."
Yesterday the General Manager of the Jamaica Pegasus Eldon Bremner was unavailable for comment.

It now transpires that Woolmer resigned his position after Pakistan's shock defeat to Ireland at the Cricket World Cup match played at Kingston's Sabina Park two weeks ago.
According to Pakistan's Cricket Board chairman, Nasim Ashraf, Woolmer tendered his resignation hours before his death.

His e-mail to Ashraf read:" I would like to praise my association with the Pakistan team but now I would like to announce my retirement after the World Cup to live the rest of my life in Cape Town."

Members of the Irish Cricket World Cup party have also questioned security arrangements at the Pegasus.

Speaking with Caribbean Business Report last week, a squad member said: "The hotel staff at the Pegasus were great and I found that many Jamaicans made us feel extremely welcome. However, the security could have been better. You had all sorts coming up on the floors - ladies, guys selling stuff, and some of the players from the other teams. The atmosphere in the hotel was brilliant but in other hotels I have stayed at, the security is a lot tighter."

However, CEO and managing director of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Chris Dehring defended the security measures put in place.

"We have reviewed security arrangements in place and we believe that they are adequate for the event and it is certainly appropriate, based on the master security plan that was drafted and put in place, Dehring told a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

However, in Britain's largest-selling tabloid, The News of the World it was reported that many of the Irish squad who were also staying at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, were not altogether happy with the security arrangements.

Irish team boss Roy Torrens told the News of the World last Sunday, " When I went up to my room, there was no security at all on the floor. There were five of us on the same floor as Woolmer, including our national coach Adi Birrell and captain Trent Johnston."

According to the article in the British tabloid, Torrens contacted the Cricket World Cup's director of operations Michael Hall to complain.

The News of the World reveals that the issue went to Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller "who personally intervened to beef up protection measures at the resort".

Torrens said: "I called Michael Hall to say there was no security presence at all.

"That obviously surprised him because he rang back an hour-and-a-half later and said he had phoned the prime minister, no less. He said the prime minister had apologised through him and said if there was no improvement by tomorrow, I was to let him know.

"The next day there were two security men at the end of the corridor and at least one in riot gear and helmet. So security was definitely increased, eventually."

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