Merry Go Round Clowns

Initially, the position of the government and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was that:

• The MOU"S breached the constitutional rights of Jamaican people;
• The MOU's were legally invalid as the provisions were in conflict with the laws of Jamaica;
• Dr. Peter Phillips secretly and without the requisite authority entered into such agreements (MOU1 & MOU2) with agencies of the US government (DEA, CIA, FBI) 

Curiously, in the Manatt Commission of Enquiry, the JLP had distinct and separate legal representation from Prime Minister Bruce Golding. The JLP, through its attorney Frank Phipps QC, maintained the position that the MOU's facilitated the breach of the citizens' constitutional rights.

PM Golding's attorney, Hugh Small QC, seemed at times to be lending support to this seemingly principled position.

The PNP's attorney Senator K.D. Knight QC. brought to the attention of the COE Prime Minister Golding's admission in Parliament that the current government of Jamaica "wholeheartedly endorsed" the MOU's.  Surprise, surprise!

Security Minister Nelson testified that he supported the PM's assertion "in principle" but "not the methodology". In short there had been a breach. This is the first time that the objection to the Dudus Extradition Request had been couched in such terms. More surprise was yet to come.

Security Minister Nelson stated that the government was now involved in a process to amend the existing legislation to "legitimize the breach". WOW!

So we have spent much time and taxpayers funds to come full circle.  The seemingly principled position originally adopted has been effectively abandoned, to wit:

• The sell-out MOU's have been wholeheartedly endorsed and not annulled by this JLP government. 
• The operational terms of the sell-out have been breached;
• The breach has been condoned by the government now taking steps to legitimize the breach;
• The JLP regime is now seeking to perfect the terms and conditions of the "sell-out" ;

The ultimate "breach free" is deeply entrenching such provisions in the Constitution of Jamaica. That will never take place as the JLP is deadly afraid of anything requiring a referendum.

It has generally been accepted that there has been a "Web of Deception". Dr. Peter Phillips used the phrase as early as March 24, 2010.  SG. Douglas Leys has adopted the phrase to describe the events. The Manatt COE will now have to identify the Chief Spider. The "Web of Deception" would seem to involve some agreement among more than one and actions taken in furtherance of such agreement.  In short a conspiracy to deceive. 

However, the most recent revelations give rise to the suspicion that there has been deliberate usage of state financial resources ($40 million ) to undertake an investigation - the futility of which is indisputable. In short, a conspiracy to defraud.

There have been media reports raising concerns that high priced QC's  have been employed at taxpayer's expense. The selection of the attorneys has not been transparent.  Why would experienced attorneys need legal representation when they are merely called upon to give an accurate account of what actually took place?

It makes little or no sense to be investigating the legality and ethics of memoranda that have been "wholeheartedly endorsed", fully recognized and faithfully implemented by the current JLP regime. Irrespective of the findings of this Manatt COE, the JLP regime has started the process of "legitimizing the breach"; not specifically and unambiguously outlawing the breach. So making the breach legitimate apparently no longer signs away the citizens' constitutional rights". 

Hence more of the actions (once classified as breach) will continue but with legal lubricated conduits - utilizing the terminology adopted by the PM himself.

At the end of this COE, cotton candy should be distributed to the participants. Its character expecially its texture aptly captures the lack of substance of this enquiry.. Cotton candy after all is the customary treat at circuses - irrespective of the cost.  This would be a fitting tribute to a bunch of clowns!!