ANDREW Holness, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) MP for West Central St Andrew, yesterday apologised to Bishop Herro Blair for Wednesday’s public snubbing of the political ombudsman’s peace walk in violence-torn areas of the constituency.

“. I have great respect, indeed reverence for Bishop Herro Blair and if my action offended him I apologise unreservedly,” Holness told journalists at a press conference held at the Olympic Gardens Civic Centre in the constituency.

Holness had apparently come under pressure from JLP leader Bruce Golding, who asked the young MP to publicly apologise to Bishop Blair.

However, despite his public apology, the JLP MP was yesterday scolded by the powerful Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), which said no matter the circumstance, there has to be a certain level of respect, not only for the Office of the Political Ombudsman, but for Bishop Blair himself.

The PSOJ said political party supporters should recommit themselves to the Political Code of Conduct, and that the parties should discipline those who were responsible for acts of violence.

Holness, in addition to refusing to participate in a symbolic peace walk with Bishop Blair and the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Patrick Roberts, refused to shake the hands of the political ombudsman.

An embarrassed Bishop Blair said it was his worst reception, and that he had never been insulted like that by any politician in his four years as political ombudsman. Holness’ behaviour, he said, was offensive and destructive to the peace process.

But although saying sorry for his behaviour on Wednesday, Holness maintained yesterday that Roberts was not using his influence to help stem the violence in sections of West Central St Andrew.

He made reference to the murder of a 14-year-old boy who had witnessed a crime after an attack on some returning family members who had left the area, and said he felt responsible.

According to Holness, he told the family that everything was all right, based on Roberts’ undertaking.

“Let me state categorically that I am not saying that Mr Roberts had anything to do with the murder of this 14-year-old boy, but as political representatives we have certain powers and influence. And if it is that you know that volatility exists in an area, you must do every single thing in your power to stop it,” Holness, his voice breaking, said.

Said the MP: “Many Jamaicans looking on probably feel that my stance is adversarial. Let me reassure Jamaica that it is not my intention to create an atmosphere of war and animosity. It is my intention, however, to draw the nation’s attention to the fact that a higher standard of politics must be practised in this country.”

Holness told reporters that his life was threatened three years ago after a gang war broke out in the constituency. He said he fled to the United States in fear of his life, and told reporters that he was assisted back to his home by members of the Special Branch, the police’s intelligence arm.

Holness in the 1997 general election beat the People’s National Party’s Dr Warren Blake after a magisterial recount, and a rerun of polling in some polling divisions. He was re-elected in 2002 when he beat current PNP caretaker/candidate Roberts.