‘Downright lies!’

Henry dismisses reports of challenge to party chairmanship

Saturday, January 28, 2012

JAMAICA Labour Party Member of Parliament Lester 'Mike' Henry yesterday dismissed as inaccurate and misleading a newspaper report that his party has rejected his bid for chairmanship of the party for a second consecutive term.

Henry was responding to story carried by the Gleaner yesterday in which it was said that Dr Horace Chang was tipped to replace him and that party leader Andrew Holness had informed him that he should not run for the post.

Said Henry, "I note with grave concern the many inaccuracies and unsubstantiated allegations, some downright lies, published as the lead story of the Friday, January 27 edition of The Gleaner, headlined 'Mike In Limbo', with the subheadline, 'Chang tipped to replace Henry as JLP chairman'. I wish to categorically state that I had no meeting with Jamaica Labour Party leader Andrew Holness yesterday, Thursday, January 26, as the lead paragraph stated."

According to Henry, he spent the entire day of the supposed meeting in his constituency "dealing with matters pertaining to burning issues facing constituents, as any good member of Parliament should".

"I have had no meeting with the executive of Central Clarendon, nor am I aware of any late-night meeting held on Thursday, as the executive is awaiting a response to its request from the party," he stated, in dismissing other claims made in the article.

Henry also took issue with press reports stating that the party is yet to openly address the decision not to include him in the shadow cabinet.

"Whereas the press continues to claim that the party has not commented publicly on the issue of my omission from the shadow Cabinet, it is sufficiently clear that sources among its hierarchy have been masking the truth with self-serving lies and innuendoes in leaks to the media," he said yesterday.

"For those who seek to benefit from doing so, I say truth will prevail within time.

In respect of the chairmanship of the Jamaica Labour Party, for which the Gleaner's headline story claimed I was told by Holness that the party did not wish to have me as a nominee 'when nominations open at next week's Central Executive meeting', I am aware that nominations are closed with two nominees — Bobby Montague and I," Henry continued.

"Again, I urge the press to not be misled by rumours and innuendoes from self-serving interests. I have high regard for the Jamaican media but I also believe that responsible journalism ought to be practised instead of unsubstantiated sensationalism," he ended.

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COMMENTS (10)

Beresford Davidson
1/28/2012

Mike Henry is an excellent MP; why would anyone want a good MP leave his party and constituency? Age doesn't matter only good service to constituents does, regardless.

Wa Tch
1/28/2012

Really Mike we will see who will prevail in the long run. Do u seriously believe that you will continue as Chairman with JDIP hanging over your head. Cho multi-modal Mike. Get real.

norris Richards
1/28/2012

It seems as if the media is pushing their own agenda, in the JLP. Now the JLP is not the government, can the media starts focusing on how the PNP are governing the country. The JLP never seems to be short of unpaid advisors

James St. John
1/28/2012

Wow! Wow!... WOW! Need I say more..................*****%%%%%$$$@@@@@

Richie L
1/28/2012

I don't know about anyone else, but I am getting tired of this Mike Henry non-story.
.
Why are we giving so much time to this drama?
.
It is high time to get on to more pressing issues.
.
Andrew Holness, within his prerogatives, decided he does not want Mike Henry in his shadow cabinet. So what is the fuss? Accept it and move on.
.
Richie

Kingpin Rude
1/28/2012

Guess we see who are the true leaders in journalism!

carlenton campbell
1/28/2012

Dude! just go peacefully like a man and save your party the embarrassment! phew!

Nejeeper KNG
1/28/2012

What is there to clarify Mike is all of this back and forth taking us anywhere? You should be in the headlines for coming up with ideas based on your decades in politics. We need ideas and solutions that will grow the economy; which is the most important thing right now; not this he said she said crap!! On a more sensible note; today’s column by Howard Chin is a wonderful and realistic perspective.

Authnel Reid
1/28/2012

Could it be that Mr. Henry forgot he had this meeting? The executives of his constituency are part of the demonstration. You would think he would be huddling with his constituency executives. But according to Henry, he spent the entire day of the supposed meeting in his constituency "dealing with matters pertaining to burning issues facing constituents, as any good Member of Parliament should"- (A figment of his old past). Mike is now rendered a “washout faded green shirt” ready for the “dungle heap”(gargage heap) of history he just can’t seem to realize how damage he is

wanda woeman
1/28/2012

Mike Henry comes in like a bad cold -- it just won't go away.
At least Bruce Golding (another significant cause of the JLP loss) went away.

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‘Downright lies!’