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PNP appalled by Nelson’s testimony
The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) says it is shocked and appalled by the testimony of National Security MInister, Senator Dwight Nelson, that he would reveal sensitive information regarding fugitives involved in high level criminal activities within constituencies of Members of Parliament (MPs).
Mr. Nelson made the announcement at Thursday’s sitting of the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry when he defended his decision to advise Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who is also MP for West Kingston, of the then impending extradition request for Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and said he would have done the same for any other MP.
Mr. Nelson also stated that citizens have a right to privacy, in relation to telephone conversations, even when the conversations involve conspiracies to carry out illegal acts, including the export and import of drugs and guns. 
He was responding to questions from attorney-at-law Patrick Atkinson, who is representing the PNP at the Commission.
Mr. Atkinson had asked Mr. Nelson if someone who was criminally conspiring to import AK 47s in(to) Jamaica, had a constitutional right to privacy in those negotiations.
"Right … the constitution does not make exceptions to the right to privacy," Mr. Nelson stated.
Partisan political approach
In a statement Friday afternoon, the PNP expressed alarm by Mr. Nelson’s testimony saying offering this information to MPs would be dangerous to say the least.
"We now have no doubt that it was this approach to the treatment of sensitive security matters which resulted in undue tension in the recent extradition of Coke. Unfortunately, what transpired resulted in the deaths of an estimated seventy five persons as the security forces searched for the then fugitive," the PNP said in its statement.
According to the PNP, Senator Nelson’s declarations were as alarming as they were appalling.
"Such an approach clearly demonstrates that the Minister took a partisan political approach to a matter with immense national security implications and by his instruction, involved the security forces in this dangerous procedural breach," the statement added.
Robert Pickersgill, PNP Chairman and MP for North West St. Catherine, says it is clear that "the members of the PNP will take no part in such activities and condemns any leaking of sensitive information on matters of national security."
"Minister Nelson seems to be blissfully unaware of the awesome responsibilities of his office and should immediately desist from implementing any such contemplated action," he added.
The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) says it is shocked and appalled by the testimony of National Security MInister, Senator Dwight Nelson, that he would reveal sensitive information regarding fugitives involved in high level criminal activities within constituencies of Members of Parliament (MPs).
Mr. Nelson made the announcement at Thursday’s sitting of the Manatt/Dudus Commission of Enquiry when he defended his decision to advise Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who is also MP for West Kingston, of the then impending extradition request for Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and said he would have done the same for any other MP.
Mr. Nelson also stated that citizens have a right to privacy, in relation to telephone conversations, even when the conversations involve conspiracies to carry out illegal acts, including the export and import of drugs and guns.
He was responding to questions from attorney-at-law Patrick Atkinson, who is representing the PNP at the Commission.
Mr. Atkinson had asked Mr. Nelson if someone who was criminally conspiring to import AK 47s in(to) Jamaica, had a constitutional right to privacy in those negotiations.
"Right … the constitution does not make exceptions to the right to privacy," Mr. Nelson stated.
Partisan political approach
In a statement Friday afternoon, the PNP expressed alarm by Mr. Nelson’s testimony saying offering this information to MPs would be dangerous to say the least.
"We now have no doubt that it was this approach to the treatment of sensitive security matters which resulted in undue tension in the recent extradition of Coke. Unfortunately, what transpired resulted in the deaths of an estimated seventy five persons as the security forces searched for the then fugitive," the PNP said in its statement.
According to the PNP, Senator Nelson’s declarations were as alarming as they were appalling.
"Such an approach clearly demonstrates that the Minister took a partisan political approach to a matter with immense national security implications and by his instruction, involved the security forces in this dangerous procedural breach," the statement added.
Robert Pickersgill, PNP Chairman and MP for North West St. Catherine, says it is clear that "the members of the PNP will take no part in such activities and condemns any leaking of sensitive information on matters of national security."
"Minister Nelson seems to be blissfully unaware of the awesome responsibilities of his office and should immediately desist from implementing any such contemplated action," he added.
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