Nicholson lashes Munroe over Golding, Spencer

Monday, June 14, 2010

AJ Nicholson, the former attorney general, yesterday stopped just short of accusing his People's National Party (PNP) colleague, Dr Trevor Munroe, of double standards.

Senator Nicholson said Munroe had embarked on a road to confuse others with "mixed signals" by calling for laws to keep two parliamentarians under corruption probe out of Gordon House, but not for the resignation of Prime Minister Bruce Golding, apparently over the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke issue.

"The irony is that the professor is of the view that a public apology by the prime minister, coupled with a reproduced promise to anchor certain pieces of legislation to fight corruption, crime and violence, will suffice," Nicholson said in a letter to the Observer.

He was reacting to last week's call by Munroe, a former PNP senator, for legislation that would suspend the PNP's Kern Spencer and the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP's) Joseph Hibbert from Parliament, while their corruption investigations were under way.

"There is something wrong, and it shouldn't be that someone leaves Half-Way-Tree Court where they are charged for breaking the law, and heads to Gordon House to make the law. The rules should be changed. Spencer should be suspended as a minimum, and Hibbert, the same," Munroe was quoted as telling a meeting of the local Doctor Bird Chapter of Project Management Institute last Tuesday.

Spencer, the Opposition member representing North East St Elizabeth, is facing corruption charges in relation to the distribution of thousands of energy-saving light bulbs that were a gift from Cuba to Jamaica.

Hibbert, the MP for East Rural St Andrew and who was state minister of transport and works, has been recommended for criminal charges by Contractor General Greg Christie in relation to a probe involving British bridge-building firm Mabey and Johnson, which pleaded guilty in the United Kingdom for bribing a Jamaican official.

Munroe, who believed that suspension would be a sign that the two major political parties were serious about stamping out corruption, was seemingly peeved that the two men were in parliament to support their parties in the recent no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition against Golding.

But Nicholson took the university professor and head of the USAID-supported National Integrity Action Forum (NIAF) to task, saying: "There is a view that Professor of Government Dr Trevor Munroe has embarked on a road to confuse others with mixed signals."

Referring to the call for suspending Spencer and Hibbert, Nicholson said there was no doubt the suggestion would gain some traction, "for the allegations against both men are serious and are matters to which a blind eye cannot be turned in any well-run or aspiring democracy".

But "on the other hand, what is Professor Munroe's view as to what should be done concerning the Head of Government's nine-month, outrageous, history-making assault on the rule of law in Jamaica, backed by his attorney general and the entire slate of his Government colleagues in the House and in the Senate?"

Added Nicholson: "...There is, of course, no need for any change in the law, the rules of ethics or the conventions of the constitution and Parliament for a Head of Government, in such an invidious position, not to be able simply to leave the refuge and safe haven of an apology and straightway head to Gordon House (to lead the charge) to make law.

"It cannot be denied that the yet-to-be-resolved issues that arise in the Spencer and Hibbert matters take Jamaica in the wrong direction along the corruption index. In our own reckoning, and in the eyes of the region and within the wider global space, however, the actions of the Head of Government, with his total disrespect for the rule of law and a cynical disregard for the proper administration of justice, has taken Jamaica to a place that was hitherto unimagined.

"Would the resignation of the prime minister not be a powerful sign that Jamaica is serious about stamping out corruption, and a signal indicator that we intend to reverse the trend along which Jamaica now moves on the narco- and rogue-state radar? What say you, Professor?"

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COMMENTS (28)

Rasta Seh
6/15/2010

"Dont shoot the messenger!"
We very well know who AJ Nicholson, KD Knight, et al, are. None are particularly squeaky clean. The fact, however, is that, because a man may have in the past committed a murder, that doesn't make him an unfit witness to testify against an accused murderer. Even the dull & ignorant have their story.
I think every Jamaican civilian commenting here sincerely has the country's best interest at heart. Let's just be objective & civil, people.Progress begins there.

Kweli Simba
6/15/2010

I wonder where was Mr. Nick's advocation when the Trfigura issue was in play. It is all about political posturing, it has nothing to do with the concerns of the nation.

mike daley
6/15/2010

I am with Jay Brown on this one! As much as it disgusted me what the PM did, his actions, at this stage, are more of an immoral and unethical nature than they are criminal-thanks, in part, to no impeachment laws. Hopefully that soon chg. Yes we should still call for the PM to resign, but until that faithful day we stuck wid him. But Kern & Hibbert R actually chrg wid corruption, so unethical/immoral & criminal- Different ting. Emotional rantings can't chg that fact. Only new laws can.

David Biles
6/15/2010

Anthony Johnson 6/14/2010 said ..."do you see who is defending Kern?.KD Knight,one of the most vociferous about the extradition matter."...
-
It would help your argument if you knew what you are talking about!! Patrick Atkinson is Mr. Spencer's Attorney, KD Knight is Ms. Coleen Wright's attorney. You should at least know the facts before appearing as a buffoon.

Rasta Seh
6/14/2010

@Jay Jay - The Golding matter & the issues concerning Spencer & Hibbert are no different - they all speak to the matter of integrity. Something that seems not to be a prerequisite for parliamentary membership in this country.

Jay Brown
6/14/2010

Munroe is correct!!
As for AG he too has zero integrity.
Bruce did nothing illegal, immoral yes, illegal no.
Kern and Hibbert are said to be involved in corruption, one has been actually arrested and charged.
How can we be said to tackle crime if you have criminals leading the people.
Is the GOJ moving to seize Kern's assets under the POCA ?
If so why not?

Sean H.
6/14/2010

Corey:
Who is this KNOWN crime lord (and do you know of any more)? Who was lobbied to PROTECT HIM? Who was doing the lobbying? You seem to know so much but are you willing to go to court and say your piece (ie put forth the facts) so we can clean up Jamaica? If not, them you are just a speculator, a bag of mouth, a coward, no different from the politicians we suffer under, decade after decade.
Pure chat only enables criminals, politicians or not, to get away with their crimes.

Corey Durrant
6/14/2010

Texroy,
Bruce finally releas information on Manatt when he saw that his political career was in trouble and if he had continue on that path he would not have been Prime Minister within the next two months base on the demands of Public. The country needs a leader who will act in the best interest of the nation, and not when his political career is in trouble.

Corey Durrant
6/14/2010

Texroy,
Let us look at the issue objectively. In all fairness Professor Munro is correct that Kern and Hibbert should not be in parliament, but if they are not elidgible then Bruce Golding should resign. All three persons have an integrity problem whether it is in the court of law or ethically. Bruce lobby a US law firm to protect a known crime lord, and misled parliament and Jamaica that he had nothing to do with the issue. He did not willingly divulge information to the public

Jacqueline Samms
6/14/2010

What's wrong with our judicial system that these politicians can get away with breaking the law and not being punished?it's bafflng.

Jacqueline Samms
6/14/2010

It is time for all the OLD goats to leave the government. Haven't they had enough? haven't they caused enough trouble for our country? Haven't they all turned a blind eye over the years? GOOD BYE to all of you.

Pincher Grant
6/14/2010

On the Trafigura issue, Mr. Nicholson is remembered as stating that that if he knew then what he now knows he would have said things differently. I would suggest that he says nothing more as of now...

Elli Deedo
6/14/2010

I think we should pick the senses out of the nonsense as we know it. Munroe suggested that these (2) Candidates should be suspended. They have been accused of irregular conduct. They themselves know's that their presence in parliament is not appropriate. They have fallen in the Context of Corruption, and should not have required a Munroe to ask for their suspension. Mr Nicholson is one of our senior intellectual, and might have his reasons to have launched his intellectual rocket against Trevor.

Mario Bee
6/14/2010

@ Anthony Johnson.....How is KD Knight defending Kern corruption. Even though I am not defending his actions, he does have a righjt to legal representation.

Chicken Foote
6/14/2010

Where was AJ Nicholson with the Trafigura incident shenanigans??

Anthony Johnson
6/14/2010

I cannot support AJ on this. Kern is on a criminal charge.Bruce was lobbying and as far as i understand there is nothing illegal about that even though it should not have been done.And speaking about corruption,do you see who is defending Kern?.KD Knight,one of the most vociferous about the extradition matter.Talk about corruption.

Rasta Seh
6/14/2010

danny brown
6/14/2010

Trevor Munroe maybe just want to hear his name calling. I dont think that it is Bruces' sweet talk that has got into his mind I think Trevor like Al Miller loves attention and will say irrational things to get it. Trevor may sound drunk but Trevor no fool.

carl ricketts
6/14/2010

This is absolutely insane to think that the PM. should resign and MP's that are charged with a criminal offence, such corruption is the same, as a PM. making a poor choice in his action. I see no parallel here at all. Neither do I think, they should'nt be in the house because they're charged. This PM. has really made me proud of being Jamaican. He is heeding to the wishes of the people and doing the rt. things. Lets suport him. Stop the PM bashing. Who do you want to be PM @ this point, Portia?

Radikal Discipleship
6/14/2010

All politics aside, I was just as puzzled as AJ as to what flew into Mr. Munroe to write that. What is it about the PM that has caused him to be able to sugar sweet talk his way into the minds of so many that they are hamstrung to be at his beck and call with his fancy words?

Andrea Watson
6/14/2010

Trevor Munroe's sycophantic utterances make me wonder about his agenda. He said the Bruce is the only PM to tackle crime this way, Bruce who fought tooth and nail to protect an alledged criminal. Trevor oh Trevor!

Farruk BMA
6/14/2010

I am still puzzled by Munroe's statement that heaped praise of Golding for being the first of seven PMs to do battle against TG. Golding was cornered like a art and was forced to do something about the situation. If Golding had done it when he first came to power then I could see Munroe's point, but not at this late stage when his back was against the wall and he had no where else to turn.

Joycelin Clarke
6/14/2010

I agree with AJ Nicholson. The Prime Minister and several members of his cabinet along with the Attorney General by admission have tried to obfuscate the course of justice. This they are guilty of. The two members of Parliament are innocent until proven guilty.

Brain Allen
6/14/2010

I agree with AJ Nicholson 101%. I note that Trevor Munroe speaks out of both sides of his mouth on the "Breakfast Club" problem. I get the distinct feeling and impression from that fellow, Munroe, that if you did not attend UWI, and if you are not big enough, then you have no business in government, that a different set of rules should apply.

Hotta Bhingi
6/14/2010

Munroe flipflops just like golding. NDM, WPJ,JLP PNP, they are all over the place.

JA Cynic
6/14/2010

Political conversion carries with it a brazen attempt at re-imaging.There is the convenient distinction between the "Then" and the" Now" and there is acute memory loss regarding any connection--given that it is the same individual.
There is no accountability whatsoever. Past pronouncements and actions are to be forgotten and forgiven. Some are just born to lead in any dispensation.
Birds of a feather........
JA Cynic

Jay Jay
6/14/2010

"Would the resignation of the prime minister not be a powerful sign that Jamaica is serious about stamping out corruption" AJ you have it so wrong. The seriousness of stamping out corruption will be seen when Portia and her colleagues rid themselves of their garrison constituencies as well as all the JLP MPs do the same. Let's call a spade a spade because most Jamaicans are not stupid. Also be realistic The PM issue is far different from Kern Spencer and Joseph Hibbert issues.

Maude Cooper
6/14/2010

I agree with you Mr. Nicholson. I was wondering if Mr. Munroe is all right. When criminals set police station on fire, engage and killed members of the security forces into battle; that to me was a direct attack on the government. But he heaped so much praises on Mr. Golding it evoked endless talk at water-coolers everywhere.

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Nicholson lashes Munroe over Golding, Spencer