PSOJ accused of hypocrisy after demanding Golding apologise for Buchanan’s remarks
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The People’s National Party (PNP) on Wednesday refused the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s (PSOJ) request for a personal apology from PNP President Mark Golding over the crude remarks made by attorney-at-law Isat Buchanan towards Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn during a recent YouTube programme.
The party deemed the PSOJ’s request as “misconceived”, and went on to list the actions taken by the party and Buchanan since the incident occurred.
“PNP President Mark Golding spoke with Mr Buchanan the same night the comments were made. Mr Buchanan resigned promptly from his position as chairman of the Human Rights Commission on the same night and issued a public apology. The PNP Women’s Movement also publicly condemned Mr Buchanan’s statements, reaffirming the PNP’s unwavering commitment to respect for women and gender equity,” the PNP said in a statement.
The Opposition party also stated that the PSOJ demanding such a personal apology from Golding is hypocritical as the party believes the organisation has not shown the same demands of prime minister and governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Andrew Holness.
“…at no time has the PSOJ asked Mr Holness to apologise for the frequent outbursts and insults made by MP Everald Warmington to women, other Parliamentarians and the media. Perhaps the worst of all is PM Holness inviting Mr Osbourne Ellis alias Peanut Dread to be his personal guest during his contribution to the Budget Debate in Parliament. Peanut Dread can be regarded as one of the worst exponents of crass and violent statements about women,” the PNP listed.
It added: “The behaviour of MP George Wright, who was caught on video using a stool to beat a woman and Councillor David Brown, who has been the subject of multiple charges of physically abusing women and the elderly, have escaped the reprimand of the PSOJ. In fact, the PSOJ has remained silent on the daily disrespectful utterances made by its own Private Sector member, Kevin O’Brien Chang.”
The PNP added that it has stood for respect, dignity, and accountability, especially when it comes to issues concerning women’s rights, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of decorum and conduct within the party and holding its members accountable for their actions.
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