Campbell apologises for Montague ‘black’ barb
Published:Friday | February 4, 2022 | 12:12 AM
General secretary of the People’s National Party (PNP), Dr Dayton Campbell, has reportedly apologised for his characterisation of Jamaica Labour Party Chairman Robert Montague “as the leader of the black section of the JLP”.
Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown said that Campbell has expressed regret for the hurt and confusion caused and has withdrawn the offensive words.
Parchment Brown, who had initiated a probe into the matter following stinging public criticism against Campbell, declared that the PNP general secretary had breached the Agreement and Declaration on Political Conduct (Code) regarding public utterances and had also harmed good relations between supporters of different political parties, contrary to the Political Ombudsman (Interim) Act.
In a letter dated February 2, the political ombudsman thanked Campbell for participating in two informal discussions and a meeting with her on Saturday, January 29.
In an earlier letter dated January 27, Parchment Brown outlined her concerns to Campbell relating to whether the words used constituted defamation and were malicious or prejudiced good relations between supporters of various political parties.
The political referee said that Campbell agreed to the contents of the letter she published.
In their discourse, the political ombudsman said Campbell was “clear and responsive in addressing the issues”.
Said Parchment Brown: “I understand that your intention was to identify ‘internal politics’ as a strong, relevant factor impacting the way the Cabinet reshuffle was conducted.”
The political ombudsman said that Campbell disclosed that he had not intended to cross the line of acceptable speech on the following issues.
However, the political ombudsman told Campbell that although his explanation of his intention appeared “heartfelt and fulsome”, the words could reasonably be interpreted as having breached the code.