PRIME Minister Bruce Golding is slated to say more on his planned departure in a national broadcast on Sunday.

Golding has been facing harsh criticisms from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) as well as several political analysts and commentators who maintain that he should have addressed the nation in the aftermath of last Sunday’s shocking disclosure that he would be stepping down as prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in November.

But Information Minister Daryl Vaz and other party officials came to the prime minister’s defence, arguing that the nation should allow him to bury his mother before demanding an explanation, through a national broadcast. Golding’s mother, who died on September 14, was laid to rest on Wednesday. She was 91.

However, Vaz — who was addressing journalists at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House — was unable to state the broadcast time.

“I can say that Prime Minister Golding will be addressing the nation on Sunday and the details of the time will be given in due course. It was always expected that he would be addressing the nation, but I would agree I don’t think it could have been before he laid his mother to rest,” said Vaz, who explained that Golding will be speaking on issues relating to the transition to a new leader as well as provide updates on other critical matters, which may include an update on the programme with the International Monetary Fund.