KINGSTON, Jamaica — Speaker of the House of Representatives, Juliet Holness, on Tuesday paid tribute to Valrie Curtis, former Clerk to the Houses of Parliament who retired under a cloud on April 6 after what lawmakers say was a stellar career.

The clerk’s departure was clouded by the public letter of reprimand she received from Holness a week before she was set to retire, ostensibly for not complying with the speaker’s instructions regarding how reports from the Auditor General’s Department ought to be tabled in the Parliament.

Cutris, who is reportedly presently off the island, told The Gleaner newspaper recently that she fully complied with the speaker’s instructions. She appears reticent about being present in the Parliament for tributes to be paid to her hence the ad hoc manner in which parliamentarians have proceeded to do so.

Opposition members who have insisted that the speaker withdraws the letter and apologise to Curtis, have generally refused to pay tribute in the former clerk’s absence.

While she neither apologised nor withdrew the letter on Tuesday, the speaker in her tribute said: “…It is my privilege and indeed my duty to take the lead in acknowledging Ms Valrie Curtis for her long and dedicated service to this Parliament.

“This journey began when she joined the staff of the Parliament as assistant clerk in 1995 and continued as she worked her way to being appointed deputy clerk in 2006. Her commitment to duty saw her being elevated to the position of clerk to the houses in 2021 and since that time she has commendably led her staff in providing the necessary procedural and administrative support to members of both houses.”

Holness noted that during her time at Parliament, Curtis displayed a commitment to upholding parliamentary ideals even as she displayed a people-centred approach to parliamentary administration, while overseeing several initiatives aimed at modernising parliamentary operations.

“Throughout her tenure, she represented Jamaica at parliamentary conferences across the globe and was integral to the staging of international parliamentary conferences here in Jamaica, as well as the hosting of myriad visiting international delegations to the Parliament.

“Ms Curtis has been recognised by the Government of Jamaica for her contribution to the Parliament through the conferment of the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service as well as the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander in 2014 and 2020, respectively,” Holness added.

She remarked that “Our differences in perspective on a particular administrative matter and the resulting procedural communication to her (which was never a part of her HR record), but which has unfortunately been circulated in the public domain, was never intended to detract from her years of service and valuable contribution to the Parliament.

“It is important for me to state that I continue to hold the retired clerk in high regard and acknowledge her contribution and not allow that to be overshadowed for any reason.”

The speaker stated that the former clerk has left an indelible mark on the Parliament, “and it is our hope that she will enjoy her well-deserved retirement”.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Leader of Government Business in the House, Edmund Bartlett and Member of Parliament for St Catherine South West, Everald Warmington also paid tribute to Curtis.

Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell, said Opposition members were ready to pay tribute if/when Curtis is present.