KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) Shadow Minister of Science and Technology, Julian Robinson says the position of the Chairman of the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) Trevor Forrest, is “untenable considering his vulgar attempt to improperly influence the authority to hire Carolyn Warren to the organisation”.

Warren recently resigned as managing director of State agency NESOL in the wake of revelations by the PNP’s Phillip Paulwell that she was convicted on a drug offence over 25 years ago.

Robinson, in a statement today, said Forrest’s action amounts to misconduct for which he should resign or be relieved of his position as chairman with immediate effect.

Robinson said the account of the former Managing Director, Dr David McBean, published in the Daily Gleaner yesterday which details Forrest’s attempt at corrupting the recruitment process is sufficient evidence of the abuse of power as the chairman of the board to warrant the intervention of the portfolio minister.

Robinson argued that it was actions such as this which contributed to the breakdown of systems in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology and the apparent lack of supervision and accountability by Minister Andrew Wheatley that has given rise to the public’s mistrust and cynicism in public sector administration.

He said Forrest is clearly a chairman who has no interest in due process, no respect for public policies, systems, procedures and good governance administration and prefers to interfere into the day-to-day operations of the SMA.

The PNP shadow minister said Forrest’s behaviour should also exclude him from the other appointments he holds in the ministry, which include senior consultant/adviser to the minister, Deputy Chairman of the Universal Service Fund and Deputy Chairman of the eLearning Company, which is responsible for broadband service provision in schools as well as the tablets in schools programme.