Phillips turns down tomorrow's SOE meeting with PM, unavailable before January 7

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) has turned down an invitation from Prime Minister Andrew Holness to meet tomorrow to discuss issues surrounding the extension of the states of public emergency in sections of the island.

In a letter to the prime minister today, Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips said he would not be able meet tomorrow as requested.

Phillips said January 7 would be the earliest date available for a meeting.

"Given the very short notice, it is not possible for our team to meet tomorrow. The earliest the team can be assembled is January 7, 2019," the Opposition leader wrote in his letter to the prime minister.

Holness wrote to Phillips inviting him and his team to a meeting tomorrow to arrive at what the Head of Government calls a consensus regarding solutions to the problem of the impending end to the states of public emergency.

But the Opposition leader, in his response today, expressed disappointment that it took the prime minister 12 days to officially extend the invitation to a meeting.

"That quite frankly raises a question of sincerity of your motives, especially following the issue of an earlier news release from your office erroneously stating that I responded negatively to your invitation," part of Phillips letter read. 

"The concern you have expressed with respect to the extraordinarily high level of violent crime in Jamaica is indeed shared by the Opposition. We also acknowledge the appreciable reduction in violent crime you have cited...," he continued.

However, Phillips said "it should be noted, nevertheless, that this reduction is only relative to 2017 crime statistics".

In the meantime, Phillips has offered a two-member preparatory team led by PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson to work out the details of the proposed meeting.

 We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.