Questionable Conduct: The Jamaican Political Reality

Many reputations are being put to the test during the Manatt COE hearings. We have heard from public officials, specifically charged with dealing with extradition cases. We are yet to hear from the political operatives. However, none of the players in the Dudus Extradition Affair (DEA) has had personal reputation smeared in the press as had Mrs. Lorna Golding, the esteemed wife of PM Bruce Golding. Wikileaks was wicked. They purported to disclose official comments made by the US representative of the happenings at a "Tea Party" (a misnomer as no tea was reportedly served). A number of damaging allegations were contained in those official communications. These include, apart from the offering to serve day-old salad made by her husband (Iron Chef Bruce?) : The PAO's conversation with Mrs. Golding covered a wide array of topics, from salads and manicures to the Coke extradition request (Ref A) and Jamaica's pending negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. ...

We have been told that the budget allocation for the Dudus/Manatt COE is approximately J$40million. We have also been informed that the remuneration package for the Chairman is approximately J$30,000.00 per hour. We have not been told if the hourly rate is confined to the public sittings; or if it applicable to consultations between Commissioners; or to deliberations in compiling the final report. Neither have we been informed of the remuneration packages of the other Commissioners, the Secretary, Counsel to the Commission or his assistants. In the interest of transparency, the Commission should make public the various remuneration packages and the presumptions underlying the $40 million budget. From the current proceedings, it is fair to infer that there is likely to be significant cost overruns, especially in light of the hourly rate component. Clovis' cartoon in the Observer, Tuesday February 15, 2011 captures in vivid colours the display of legal manoeuverings, that have charac...

What exactly was the response of the Minister of National Security to the information you relayed? You said on CVM TV words to the effect that the Minister "turned white". Could you please elaborate? How long did you observe that change in pigmentation? Did the Minister do or say anything during the duration of the shade change? How did you react when you observe these Ministerial changes? How did the Chief of Staff react? Did the Chief of Staff relay any information to the Minister during that meeting? Did the Minister of National Security say anything to the Chief of Staff? You have said that the Minister took about ten minutes to locate the PM by phone, did this seem unusual to you? Did the Minister indicate that he was experiencing a difficulty in making telephone contact with the PM? Can you say, with any degree of certainty, that the Minister of National Security only spoke to the PM via telephone in your presence? Can you say, with any degree of certainty, that the Min...