INFORMATION minister Daryl Vaz, today admitted that the approach to United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips was ill-conceived and handled poorly. Vaz is also promising islandwide meetings by Prime Minister Bruce Golding to clarify Government’s role in the issue.

Speaking at the Jamaica House post-Cabinet press briefing, Vaz admitted that mistakes were made but continued to deny that Government had any contract with the law firm.

“At no time did the Government of Jamaica enter into any contractual or consultant arrangement with Harold Brady and Company Limited or Manatt, Phelps & Phillips,” Vaz declared.Related stories:Gov’t dismissive in latest Manatt sagaPNP concerned over Manatt emailsPM: I sanctioned the Manatt initiative

He was responding to recent media publications of e-mail correspondence between Government officials and the Manatt over an extended period.

“There is nothing illegal or criminal in relation to the hiring of a lobby group, whether by the party or by the Government. What has happened is that the thing was ill-conceived, it was a mistake,” he said.

According to Vaz, there was misrepresentation as it relates to who was acting on behalf of Government and action will be taken at party level against Brady, the JLP’s lawyer.