KINGSTON, Jamaica — Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith in response to calls for her to apologise to Senator Floyd Morris following an exchange with him yesterday in the sitting of the Upper House in Parliament said she meant no disrespect.

“Contrary to media reports and postings on social media, absolutely no disrespect was intended to Senator Floyd Morris in my remarks during Friday’s sitting of the Senate and recognising that offence had been taken, I immediately apologised and withdrew the remark without any prompting from the Senate President or anyone else. This was done twice,” Johnson Smith said in statement a short while ago.

She emphasised that the discussion in Parliament is on public record and was broadcast live on television and social media.

See Johnson Smith’s full statement:

Contrary to media reports and postings on social media, absolutely no disrespect was intended to Senator Floyd Morris in my remarks during Friday’s sitting of the Senate and recognising that offence had been taken, I immediately apologised and withdrew the remark without any prompting from the Senate President or anyone else. This was done twice.

This is on the public record and was broadcast live on Television and Social Media. I wish to provide clarity in respect of a media report which did not communicate that all Senators had a week to review the twenty-three (23) pages of amendments which were considered during yesterday’s sitting of the Upper House.

Recognition of various concerns regarding the proposed legislation and the level of misinformation that has been circulated in relation to the clauses prompted a comprehensive review of the proposed legislation and the provision of 23 pages of amendments which speak to many of the concerns. These amendments were circulated to Members a week before Friday’s sitting and I explained those amendments during my presentation last week. The final three pages are what I attempted to walk the house through earlier in yesterday’s sitting recognizing that although it was sent at 7:00 AM, it would make the debate more clear and focused.

Furthermore, the article shockingly misquoted me stating that I said that in light of him completing his PhD and autobiography, I hesitated to think that “it would not be too much to read” when what I actually said was that I hesitated to think that “it would not be too much for us to work through them together.” The audio circulated by the same media house reflects this.

The article also failed to point out my apology was unprompted and that I had tried to guide the Senate through the documents in the morning, in order to assist Senators and focus the debate but this was vehemently rejected by the opposition.

Also of concern in the article is an assertion that Senator Morris walked out because of the comment. It is more likely in light of the actual events, that Senator Morris walked out having moved a Privilege motion to suspend the sitting, which was voted down by the Government side. This after he had made a contribution to the Bill.

I am truly disappointed with reporting which ignores the facts and create a false impression of what I said, and what took place.

I believe and understand that the question of the rights of individuals has and will always be a sensitive matter. The report has served to shift the debate from the importance of the pending legislation to a misrepresentation of my remarks as disrespecting Senator Morris. Again, no disrespect was intended as the unedited video will.