Ministry reviewing murder plot probe of official

Jamaica's National security ministry is conducting a review of all its records related to a police investigation that targeted a local official.

The review, which was initiated by National Security Minister Robert Montague, follows assertions made by former Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green in an article published in the Miami Herald newspaper on Sunday.

Green, a former Scotland Yard detective, claimed, in the article, that after carefully assembling his case against the official, the national security ministry refused to provide protection for a key witness. As a result, he said the witness later fled the island, causing the case to collapse.

Yesterday, Montague told The Gleaner that he has asked Acting Permanent Secretary Dionne McIntosh to review the files then report to him.

"I don't want this matter rushed. I want a thorough check," he said.

Montague's disclosure came on the same day The Gleaner newspaper called for a "credible explanation" of Green's claim.

"If that account of events is true, it would seem that the national security ministry needs to open its files and offer the public a credible explanation for that decision, to remove any suspicion that its motive was political and an attempt by the Government to protect one of its own," the newspaper said in its editorial.

The call got support from former national security minister, Peter Bunting, who also distanced the previous People's National Party (PNP) administration from any involvement in the issue.

"The article provides a timeline that could be read as suggesting that these occurred during my incumbency as the minister of national security for the PNP government. I wish to make it abundantly clear that by the time we assumed office in January 2012, these two decisions had already been taken," he said.