KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Senator Marlene Malahoo Forte has expressed disappointment with the decision of the Senate president to refuse permission to make a personal statement regarding the issues surrounding her suspension.

She said: “The very nature of the matter was controversial in the first place, and understanding that, the fact that the president would use Standing Orders to refuse me permission to correct the record of Parliament is disappointing, especially as it had been agreed as a condition to our return to the Senate.”

“Government senators have made most disparaging statements about me in Parliament without the intervention of the president, and yet he has not permitted me to set the Parliamentary record straight,” she argued.

Senator Malahoo Forte also stated: “It is important to note that he did not ask for my amendment or adjustment, but gave a complete refusal.  Despite the apparent finality of the response, I still made the effort to ask the president in person to reconsider his position.  Regretfully, he again refused.   I remain concerned about my inability to correct the Parliamentary record which now only reflects a politically biased and unchallenged perspective, I will take advice on whether this can be approached otherwise.  I am also however concerned about any lingering public confusion about my actions.  It is in this context that I am publishing the intended personal explanation together with emails by which the president refused permission.”

The Senator explained that while the Standing Orders give the president certain powers, she would have thought that in the circumstances, in an effort to not only be objective, but to be seen as  objective on the matter, he would have granted her permission.