Dear Editor,

I write in response to the Sunday Brew column by your Editor-at-Large H G Helps headlined ‘What’s got into the PNP’s General Secretary’ published in the Sunday Observer on March 10, 2019.

It appears that Helps was seeking an anchor to launch a personal attack on me. His premise that I sought to blame the media is totally without basis as I made no such remark. In the verbatim interview, which I have submitted for your review, I neither said nor implied that the media was to blame for “the furore” related to comments by the PNP’s candidate for Portland Eastern.

In the Nationwide interview, I was asked, “What does the party make of the backlash towards Damion Crawford based on his comments?” In my response, I indicated that views were mixed and that the focus of the party is on the people of Portland Eastern and the various plans the candidate has for improving the lives of people in the constituency.

I was also asked whether people had latched onto a portion of his speech and buried the substance of what Damion Crawford was saying. Quite the contrary to Mr Helps’ claim, I indicated that it was the norm for media to highlight aspects of a speech that are controversial. At no point during the interview did I seek to blame the media.

Having commented on the Nationwide interview incorrectly, he then launched a highly unprofessional and irresponsible attack on me in my capacity as the general secretary of the People’s National Party. I regard the entire article as totally unprincipled as your editor-at-large goes on to make other assertions, which have no basis in truth or fact.

He says: “Then again, so many people in politics present themselves as authorities on media management and operations, when in fact they know very little about the profession. Robinson is one such individual.”

I am challenging Mr Helps to indicate even one instance or example to support his ludicrous assertion.

I am deeply disappointed that the Observer chose to publish this baseless harangue. It leaves me now to question the veracity of and motive behind what is published in this space and hope that others, who may or may not be in public life, are not subjected to this grossly unfair, unwarranted and unpardonable attack on their reputations.

Julian Robinson

General secretary

People’s National Party