NEW information has surfaced of an e-mail exchange between Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) Chairman Trevor Forrest and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology Hillary Alexander, in which Forrest sought to order Alexander to carry out his request to belatedly add Carolyn Warren to the list of candidates shortlisted for the position of manager of administration at the agency, despite Alexander’s objection.

Forrest, who has been the subject of much criticism after media reports alleged that he overstepped boundaries in the matter, appeared to suggest in the e-mail dated September 6, 2016 and copied to former Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley that he did not report to Alexander, despite acknowledging her concerns.

Alexander had responded to Forrest’s e-mail by saying his request was not only outside of the regulations/standard practice, but could potentially open the ministry to serious questions regarding its recruitment practices.

“It consequently would not be in the interest of the entity (Spectrum Management Authority) or, by extension, the ministry to proceed on this basis,” Alexander said.

But Forrest, in an off hand response, told Alexander: “I thank you for your input on this matter. As chairman of the board of SMA, I note your concern. At the same time, I note the clearly defined reporting responsibilities between the managing director and the chairman/board, the managing director and permanent secretary, the chairman and the minister and the permanent secretary and the minister. My responsibility as chairman, and the responsibility of the board of SMA, is also clearly defined as per GoJ’s (Government of Jamaica) Corporate Governance Framework and the Articles of Association of the entity.

“While I appreciate the concerns that you have outlined, I would say that if there is an issue related to the request I have made, the managing director ought to provide published, documentary reference to recruitment policies and procedures which expressly state that what has been requested is in violation of same. If there continues to be an issue I would expect that the managing director, as per his reporting responsibilities, would act accordingly by bringing the matter to the board of directors to which he reports. Until such time, the request stands and I expect that it will be carried out accordingly.

“An alternative course of action is to temporarily suspend the process until this issue is addressed at the board level.

“I thank you for your input and guidance on this matter as at all times we endeavour to maintain the integrity and transparency of all processes,” Forrest said.

The e-mail thread was released to the Jamaica Observer amid calls from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) to remove Forrest from the SMA board.

Opposition spokesman on science and technology Julian Robinson said that the position of the chairman is “untenable, considering his vulgar attempt to improperly influence the authority to hire Warren to the organisation”.

Warren last week resigned as managing director of National Energy Solutions Limited in the wake of revelations by the PNP’s Phillip Paulwell that she was convicted on a drug offence dating back to 1993.

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

Forrest has since denied the accusations, citing a misinterpretation of the facts.