Pryce bashes Terrelonge on controversial social media post

People's National Party (PNP) constituency representative for St Catherine East Central, Raymond Pryce, has bashed a controversial social media post by Member of Parliament and Junior State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alando Terrelonge.

Terrelonge has faced heavy public criticism for the post, which showed images of former Prime Ministers PJ Patterson and Portia Simpson Miller, who are also former PNP presidents, covered.

He has since denounced the post, saying that a member of the team is behind the posting and insisting that it is “not in keeping with my style."

Pryce argued that Terrelonge's “half-baked apology” does not do away with the damage caused.

"This adds insult to injury, even if the explanation that a junior officer in his staff had made the initial post is true - the cursory use of a photograph with the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller is not an acceptable statement of culpability," Pryce told The Gleaner.

He continues: "The State Minister needs to understand that his office operates at a high level of diplomacy, so he should have had a system in place to ensure only acceptable posts are published." 

Pryce said at a time when Jamaicans at home are seeing multiple reports of deep rifts among Diaspora organisations, especially within the United States, this does not help in the unification process.

According Pryce, the viral images can only be described as inflammatory, unintentional or otherwise, and nothing short of genuine contrition is required.

"When one does a deeper review of the language Mr Terrelonge use on his posts it reveals a combative personality unsuited for the times, considering the emotional intelligence required to appreciate and appropriately respond to concerns now raging across the Jamaican Diaspora community," Pryce argued.

- Ruddy Mathison

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.