Don't blame Bobby - PNP vice-president defends under pressure security minister
Published:Tuesday | January 30, 2018 | 12:00 AMRomario Scott/Gleaner Writer
A prominent member of the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) has rushed to the defence of the under-pressure Minister of National Security Robert Montague even as calls mount in that quarter for him to be sacked over the escalating crime situation in the country.
Eastern St Thomas MP Dr Fenton Ferguson on Tuesday argued that it was unfair to blame the minister alone for the crime situation now gripping the country.
Ferguson asserted that both major political parties, including the former PNP administration in which he served as minister, should share the blame for the growing crime monster.
"With what has happened in 2017 and the trend we have seen in 2018, I personally believe it is unfair that the burden of all of this could be placed at the feet of the minister," Ferguson stated in the presence of the national security minister during a ceremony where six new vehicles were handed over to the St Thomas police.
The opposition MP, placing on record the good relationship he has with Montague, declared: "Jamaica is our country ... We can't be talking about 'Jamaica land we love' and at the political level we continue to be tribalists and divided, especially on matters of crime, health, and education.
"It is my view that all of us must take some responsibility, starting from the family, the communities, the critical stakeholders, our young people, the Church," Ferguson further stated.