Grange suggests mischief by PNP social media activist
SPORTS Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange is suggesting that mischief was at play in a social media repost of a photograph on her
Instagram page showing Prime Minister Andrew Holness and former Prime Minister PJ Patterson at Sabina Park on Saturday during the second T20 International cricket match between West Indies and South Africa.
Grange made the accusation after the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) said that the caption identified Holness but failed to recognise Patterson.
In a press statement Sunday the PNP called on the Government, and specifically Senator Dana Morris Dixon, the information and digital transformation minister, to “urgently address the need for a comprehensive social media policy for government officials”.
However on Monday Grange shared with the Jamaica Observer a series of photographs posted by her, and accused “the PNP social media activist” of singling out one photograph “to create political controversy”.
The series of photographs, introduced as Highlights, are not captioned but are accompanied by the text:
“Prime Minister Holness and Sports Minister Grange join cricket fans at Sabina Park on Saturday, May 25 to cheer on the West Indies as they go in search of a series-clinching win in the 2nd of 3 T20 matches against South Africa.
“Among the cricket faithful in attendance were former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, former West Indies legend Desmond Haynes, former Cricket WI President Dave Cameron, former JCA President Paul Campbell, former WI cricketer Franklyn Rose, and our host JCA President Dr Donovan Bennett.”
A second post shared by Grange showed another photograph of her speaking with Patterson, above which she wrote: “Amidst the cheering for the West Indies it was great to chat with former Prime Minister The Most Honourable J Patterson who we know is an ardent cricket fan.”
She went on to congratulate the West Indies on the series win and extended a “special welcome” to the South African team.
