Derrick Kellier, the state minister in the National Security Ministry, represented Minister Peter Phillips at Inspector Lascelles Walsh’s funeral service on Saturday, the ministry said in a letter yesterday.

The Sunday Observer had reported that the only government minister present was Fitz Jackson, the state minister for finance.

While the Observer concedes that Kellier may have been present at the church service, this newspaper stands by the general tone of the Sunday Observer article, which reported Police Federation chairman Cpl Raymond Wilson’s thinly-veiled swipe at leaders whose actions give legitimacy to criminals.

As the Sunday Observer article pointed out, Phillips, finance minister Dr Omar Davies and then water and housing minister Dr Karl Blythe all attended the funeral of slain Arnett Gardens community leader Willie Haggart. None of them attended Insp Walsh’s funeral.

The following is the full text of the letter from the national security ministry:

I am writing with regard to your headline in the Sunday Observer of May 22, 2005, “Minister’s absence from policeman’s funeral irks Federation” and the additional reference in the story on page 4.

The tragic events resulting in the senseless killing of Inspector Lascelles Walsh occurred suddenly and without warning. The date for his funeral service was arranged by his family members, at their convenience. By then the Minister of National Security, Dr The Honourable Peter D Phillips had previous commitments which prevented him from attending the funeral service.

Mr Lucius Thomas, Commissioner of Police and Mr Raymond Wilson, Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation were informed by the Minister himself, in advance, that he would be unable to attend the funeral service for Inspector Walsh on Saturday. He also confirmed that he would be attending the service for Corporal Hewitt Chandler on Sunday. Both the Commissioner of Police and the Police Federation Chairman were further notified that Minister Phillips would be represented by the Honourable Derrick Kellier, MP and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security. Minister Kellier was indeed present, seated in the row of dignitaries beside the Commissioner of Police, and his presence was recognised by speakers on more than one occasion.

We therefore find your headline and story to be unfortunate, misleading and mischievous.

I am,

Gilbert Scott

Permanent Secretary.