Sun sets on political ombudsman
Published:Wednesday | November 16, 2022 | 12:14 AM
After policing the conduct of politicians linked to the country’s two main political parties, Jamaica’s Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown’s appointment came to an end on Tuesday.
The Gleaner understands that the Office of the Political Ombudsman will be restructured, but government sources are tight-lipped on a pending announcement.
Unlike her predecessor Bishop Herro Blair, Parchment Brown did not get a second term of five years that is not a mandatory provision in the parent law.
Asked if she would be willing to serve another term, the political ombudsman said: “I am available. I am not like rushing into anything else.”
And with increased anticipation of an announcement of local government elections in the months ahead, the polls might be conducted for the first time in many years without the oversight of a political ombudsman.
Parchment Brown told The Gleaner that for the last quarter of her tenure, she dealt with five complaints.
While making recommendations on three for action, the political ombudsman had unfinished business with St Andrew East Rural Member of Parliament Juliet Holness and St Catherine South West Member of Parliament Everald Warmington.
“I don’t have any authority over them as of today (Tuesday),” she said.
Parchment Brown had written to Warmington in relation to racially divisive remarks he made about Opposition Leader Mark Golding.
However, Warmington told The Gleaner Tuesday evening that he saw a letter from Parchment Brown’s office on his desk in Parliament yesterday.
The controversial lawmaker said he wrote on the letter “return to sender”.
Warmington was unapologetic that he did not sign the Political Code of Conduct since he became a member of parliament.