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'I'm sorry'
Montague apologises for offensive platform comments
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
MONTAGUE. I acknowledge that my utterances run counter to the vision of consensus-building and good governance articulated by the prime minister
Local Government State Minister Robert 'Bobby' Montague yesterday apologised for offensive comments he made on a political platform in the run-up to the December 5 Local Government Elections after coming under heavy criticism that mushroomed last weekend into a call from an election observer group for his dismissal from the political directorate.
"In retrospect, I acknowledge that my utterances have not only embarrassed the Government and the Jamaica Labour Party, but also run counter to the vision of consensus-building and good governance articulated by the prime minister," Montague said in a statement after emerging from a meeting with Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Montague had told JLP supporters in Portland that the roads in their community would only be fixed if they voted for the JLP councillor.
He said he had conveyed personally to Golding his deep regret at the comments, adding that while they "were made in the heat of political fervour" he accepted full responsibility for his actions.
Montague said that while he did not believe that a retraction was sufficient, he hoped people would forgive him, allowing him to complete the job assigned to him by the prime minister.
"I assure you that I have learnt a valuable lesson from this incident and I am heartened at the constructive criticisms that I have received since this incident," he said. "I take comfort in knowing that as an elected representative of the people no platform is to be used for indiscriminate comments and posturing."
Montague's comments followed a similar outburst by fellow parliamentarian, Water and Housing State Minister Everald Warmington at another JLP meeting in St Catherine.
Warming had told residents of Old Harbour Bay that if they did not vote for the party in the local elections they would not receive hurricane relief cheques.
Attempts by the Observer to reach Warmington yesterday were not successful, but JLP general-secretary Karl Samuda said the matter was being dealt with at the prime ministerial level as it went against the very grain of the philosophy of the administration.
"I know Minister Montague met with the prime minister," Samuda said. He, however, noted that while indications were that Warmington should also have met with the prime minister he could not confirm if Warmington had followed suit.
"The matter is being handled by the prime minister personally, and he is taking it very, very seriously," Samuda said.
As to whether the utterances by the two warranted calls for them to be dismissed, Samuda said he was not in a position to respond and reiterated that the matter was being dealt with thoroughly.
Last week, election watchdog group, Citizens Action For Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), called for Warmington and Montague to be axed, arguing that both junior ministers were in violation of the Corruption (Prevention) Act.
CAFFE said the Act makes it an offence for any public official to request any benefit or favour from persons in return for performing their public duties.
After Warmington's outburst, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles quickly assured the country that what was said "does not in any way reflect the policy of this Government".
Montague apologises for offensive platform comments
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
MONTAGUE. I acknowledge that my utterances run counter to the vision of consensus-building and good governance articulated by the prime ministerLocal Government State Minister Robert 'Bobby' Montague yesterday apologised for offensive comments he made on a political platform in the run-up to the December 5 Local Government Elections after coming under heavy criticism that mushroomed last weekend into a call from an election observer group for his dismissal from the political directorate.
"In retrospect, I acknowledge that my utterances have not only embarrassed the Government and the Jamaica Labour Party, but also run counter to the vision of consensus-building and good governance articulated by the prime minister," Montague said in a statement after emerging from a meeting with Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Montague had told JLP supporters in Portland that the roads in their community would only be fixed if they voted for the JLP councillor.
He said he had conveyed personally to Golding his deep regret at the comments, adding that while they "were made in the heat of political fervour" he accepted full responsibility for his actions.
Montague said that while he did not believe that a retraction was sufficient, he hoped people would forgive him, allowing him to complete the job assigned to him by the prime minister.
"I assure you that I have learnt a valuable lesson from this incident and I am heartened at the constructive criticisms that I have received since this incident," he said. "I take comfort in knowing that as an elected representative of the people no platform is to be used for indiscriminate comments and posturing."
Montague's comments followed a similar outburst by fellow parliamentarian, Water and Housing State Minister Everald Warmington at another JLP meeting in St Catherine.
Warming had told residents of Old Harbour Bay that if they did not vote for the party in the local elections they would not receive hurricane relief cheques.
Attempts by the Observer to reach Warmington yesterday were not successful, but JLP general-secretary Karl Samuda said the matter was being dealt with at the prime ministerial level as it went against the very grain of the philosophy of the administration.
"I know Minister Montague met with the prime minister," Samuda said. He, however, noted that while indications were that Warmington should also have met with the prime minister he could not confirm if Warmington had followed suit.
"The matter is being handled by the prime minister personally, and he is taking it very, very seriously," Samuda said.
As to whether the utterances by the two warranted calls for them to be dismissed, Samuda said he was not in a position to respond and reiterated that the matter was being dealt with thoroughly.
Last week, election watchdog group, Citizens Action For Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), called for Warmington and Montague to be axed, arguing that both junior ministers were in violation of the Corruption (Prevention) Act.
CAFFE said the Act makes it an offence for any public official to request any benefit or favour from persons in return for performing their public duties.
After Warmington's outburst, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles quickly assured the country that what was said "does not in any way reflect the policy of this Government".
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