Select candidates of integrity, KD tells PNP

BY GARFIELD MYERS Editor-at-Large South Central Bureau

Friday, June 11, 2010

MALVERN, St Elizabeth — Former National Security and Justice Minister and opposition People's National Party (PNP) elder, Senator KD Knight, has cautioned that the party must fiercely turn its face against corruption and select only candidates "of the highest integrity" for future elections.

Against a backdrop of the alleged misdeeds of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) relating to the proposed extradition of West Kingston don, Christopher Coke, Knight told a divisional meeting at the Bethlehem School in Malvern SE St Elizabeth late Sunday, that the PNP needed to assure Jamaicans of its trustworthiness and unswerving commitment to right over wrong.

"We need candidates of the highest integrity. If there is a candidate, however well-loved however hard working, if that candidate has a blemish, don't go forward," Knight told scores of hardcore PNP supporters and workers.

He argued that flawed candidates should be able to "decently say, I do not wish to be the standard bearer for the People's National Party".

Local Government elections are now due but the JLP government, is widely expected to use its majority in Parliament to effect a postponement. General (parliamentary) elections are constitutionally due in 2012.

"One of the things we must demonstrate to the country, is that we are committed at the national level and the party level, at dealing with this pernicious problem of corruption. If you have a skeleton in the closet it is going to come out so don't embarrass your self and don't embarrass the People's National Party," Knight said.

The PNP was hit hard by several scandals during 18 years of governance which ended in late 2007. The backlash from the so-called Cuban light bulb scandal remains. Kern Spencer, the Member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth is now before the courts on corruption charges. He was arrested in February 2008 for alleged wrongdoing while he was a junior minister for energy in the last PNP Government, relating to the distribution of energy-saving light bulbs, a gift to Jamaica from the Cuban Government.

The PNP recently established an Integrity Commission led by church man Bishop Wellesley Blair which according to Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller will help to protect the party's reputation as one "that has done more than any other" in combating corruption in public affairs.

PNP General Secretary Peter Bunting has said that the Integrity Commission would "hold the party leadership to a higher standard of accountability and standard of integrity."

Knight's "skeleton in the closet" comment may also have been influenced by the dual-citizenship difficulties faced by the government regarding parliamentarians who have been found to be in breach of the Jamaican constitution because of allegiance to a non-commonwealth country.

Just last week, the JLP saw its slim parliamentary majority reduced from four to three after the St Ann North East seat held by Shahine Robinson was declared vacant by the Supreme Court on the strength of a judgement related to dual citizenship.

During his address to party faithfuls in Malvern, Knight a queen's counsel and one of Jamaica's leading lawyers, reiterated his call for the resignation of Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne over their handling of the entire episode surrounding the United States request for the extradition of Coke.

He charged that the approach of Golding and Lightbourne, whom he claimed had conveniently altered their arguments and even contradicted themselves in order to satyisfy their political ends, was dishonourable and inimical to Jamaica's interests.

"The rule of law was replaced by the rule of politics, partisan politics," said Knight who is a native of St Elizabeth with paternal ancestral roots in Malvern.

He accused Golding who is the Member of Parliament for Western Kingston of influencing the delay in the signing of the extradition order because he wanted to protect "his constituent" Coke. And "in protecting his constituent he held Jamaica to ranso," Knight said.

But, he said, once Golding's "back was against the wall" and "his political career was on the line" he abandoned the principles he had espoused in protecting the "rights" of Coke in order to protect his "own political career".

Noting that Ronald Robinson had resigned as junior minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and as JLP Senator because of the controversial effort to lobby the US Government through the law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, Knight argued that Golding was equally culpable because he sanctioned the initiative. To compound the issue, the prime minister had then "misled" Parliament and the country, Knight alleged.

The clear message said Knight, was that Golding and his government could not be trusted and no longer had the confidence of the Jamaican people.

"Some say the prime minister is a lame duck. He ain't no lame duck he is a beheaded chicken," said Knight to cheers and laughter.

In such circumstances, he said, the PNP while it had not called for elections must prepare for a return to political power.

Knight who vigorously supported Peter Phillips against Simpson Miller for leadership of the party three years ago urged party unity at all levels. He insisted that there is now "no room for any questioning of the leadership of anybody. Once we have gone though the democratic process and elected a leader, elected a candidate, that is it."

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COMMENTS (26)

Ramon Castro
6/11/2010

where is the media? Isn''t their responsibility to investigate (not just the usual biographic facts) of those people vying for public offices? I hope the next election every candidate will be investigated and vested so that they all will be exposed whether good or bad.
Time for libel law to be amended.

wayne Jones
6/11/2010

One thing I can know is that we are making progress in Jamaica. The people of Jamaica at home and away smell blood and we are going in for the kill, nothing short of complete defeat of the criminal enterprises in Jamaica will not be accepted...I don't know about you but I see progress...corrupt politicians and their criminal henchmen will not be never be accepted as status quo in Jamaica EVER. We have seen that with adequate force the baddest of them can be crushed in less than 48 hours...

Sandra Cox
6/11/2010

I just can't believe this is coming from K.D Knight!!the same arrogant bully person who displayed so much of his rude and most of all disrespectful behaviour to everyone (including his own party) in Parliament and else where..i still can't believe how or why this grown man with his level of education act so ignorant and shameful. Mr Knight needs to take a look at himself before speaking of "We need candidates of the highest integrity".PLEASE Most of you MPs need to go so our country can prosper.

khalia wright
6/11/2010

isnt kd representin the corrupted on kern, does he kd ave any integrity.......as far as i kno they shud all jus resign, tired of theses politicians that r in this from the 80's we need fresh ppl, come on old people give the younger ones an opportunity to shine, u all did ur time and got what u wanted, now give new ppl a chance to give us the jamaican ppl wat we want

Winston Jones
6/11/2010

40 years of wandering in the wilderness until this generation dies off. That's what God did to the jews before a new Israel was formed. Sanitize, cleanse and burn out all corruption. All the old heads must go. We want new people with new ideas.

Sean H.
6/11/2010

Since when KD got this revelation? Look about those who sit right beside you so we can know that you are serious and not just, your usual, bag of hot air.

Brad Kerr
6/11/2010

Well said about the candidates. we need to do a complete background check on people who put themselves forward to serve. We must be sure they want to serve the country and not their own needs. The PNP while they have not called for elections must be prepared for one. This game of politics is a blood sports and Bruce will call an election when he thinks he has the best chance of winning. As for the Attorney General, I dont think I have ever been been more disappointed in anyone. She is a failure.

Jay Brown
6/11/2010

Knight is saying get rid of Kern !!

Jay Jay
6/11/2010

Before they can do this KD they have to get rid of many of them who are already MP. New wine do not go into old bottle.

Jacqueline Samms
6/11/2010

All politician should be made to disclose their assets and how they were acquired .If assets are illgotten they should be confiscated period. This includes the church people too., something is very fishy when people start poor and end up rich soon after going into politics.

G Kendall
6/11/2010

With all due respect, the only way to achieve this by dismatling both political parties and by law insist that no member of the current political parties and their affiliates (youth arms etc) should be allowed to enter representative politics or serve in any capacity in the newly formed parties.
I would not vote for any of our existing politicians even if they entered "Rising Stars"...

norris Richards
6/11/2010

Integrity, Mr. Knight is a senator, a law maker, a lawyer, a former security minister, he might have input in selecting some judges who are now sitting on the bench. Mr. Knight is now representing Mr. Spencer in the court on criminal matters, did he called for Mr. Spencer to resign from the people’s honorable house

JA Cynic
6/11/2010

Action!! not-a bag-a mout!!!
JA Cynic

afraid to be called jamaican
6/11/2010

they are all of the same barrel - integrity in the PNP. which Jamaica were you living in hotta? this same man talking about integrity have serious maturity issues... you are the beheaded fowl.

Courtney Edwards
6/11/2010

Whatever Mr Kinght.... The true be told some will do and say anything to retrun the Crew with the "OLD BUS" to Government.

otis grant
6/11/2010

yes, we want people of high integrity like kern spencer. lol.

Steve Allen
6/11/2010

I am not a labourite , but how can those old baskets carry water ? The Jamaican people need`s new a new bucket to carry water. Those old wornout baskets have leaked away all our resources and left Jamaica broken and poverty. Can`t the Jamaican people find a new leader to govern our country ?

Hotta Bhingi
6/11/2010

i agree100% with KD Knight. The PNP must prepare to be returned to power. Golding is a beheaded fowl.

bless williams
6/11/2010

this simply means all the JLP and PNP candidates have to go.show me one good,honest candidate "those who are not cowards are corrupt from head to their toes"

Everton Welby
6/11/2010

K D well said, you are absolutely right. I don't think Portia get it. Any integrity commission set up should be more about transparency in Gov and holding them accountable for corruption. It should never be about protecting any parties reputation or else the commission themselves will have no integrity.
We are mad as hell at Bruce right now but we are not running to you either Portia, what does that tell you? ITS TIME TO CLEAN UP.

Jaye Stone
6/11/2010

I think politicians learn in POLITICS 101, that the Jamaican electorate is largely ignorant and illiterate, are like sheep and are easily conned. The politicians know the formula for swinging votes even without a performance-driven track record. They also know that Jamaica has wised-up to their attempts to bribe votes out of us with cash and curry goat, so now they are pretending to turn over a new leaf. Haahahahaha. If you fool the electorate again, them would a really fool fi true!

David Armstrong
6/11/2010

I would add also to make sure that a thorough background check is performed for prospective candidates of any political party. One would expect that procedures and policies are in plce to ensure that proper background check is completed.

Chicken Foote
6/11/2010

Duh!

Ramon Castro
6/11/2010

How convenient? Not is said of Kern Spencer a accused PNP member of Parliament who is facing criminal corruption charges. Mr Knight, deeds not words.
If the PNP is honest about integrity, they should put the pressure on Kern Spencer to do the honorable thing a resign.Why should the taxpayers continued to pay the salary of Spencer who pilfer them?

Chuck Emanuel
6/11/2010

Those who lead, seek to lead, or aspire to lead our people must be measured by the guiding principles of integrity, morality and the rule of law.

Jay Brown
6/11/2010

Is he saying KS should go, wow, finally someone has seen the proverbial light.
They should also select people who are of good character and who act decent, which make this person asking for a new selection process ineligible.
Are they going seize Kern's assets?
Everyone is asking that the GOJ seize Dudus assets, but Dudus has not been charged for any crime in Jamaica.
On the contrary Kern has, but yet no cal for his ill gotten assets to be seized.

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Select candidates of integrity, KD tells PNP