Current Affairs

Current Affairs

Prime Minister P J Patterson greets supporters of his People's National Party at a rally in Naggo Head, St Catherine Sunday night. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

TOURISM minister, Portia Simpson Miller on Sunday threatened legal action against the Jamaica Labour Party's Audley Shaw, for comments he made at a political rally Saturday about the probe at the Jamaica Tourist Board's New York office.

Shaw, at the rally, alleged that there was a cover-up and said the investigations should be made public. He also accused the minister of delaying the release of the report which investigated allegations of accounting misappropriations at the Jamaica Tourist Board's New York office.

"Don't draw mi tongue...don't get me involved in your dirty, nasty, slimy politics," shouted Simpson Miller to roars from the crowd, "I got the [audio] tape and I handed it over to the attorney general, and I am going to consult my lawyers as well.

"I got the audit report which is a preliminary report, the Tourist Board had an emergency meeting where the solicitor general and lawyer, Hillary Philips advised to opt not to release the preliminary audit because the investigation was continuing... don't trouble this girl because I don't 'fraid a no man," said Simpson Miller.

"Did I cover up the JAG Smith case, did the PNP cover up the JAG Smith case?" asked Miller. "I will not get involved in your dirty, nasty, slimy politics," the tourism minister told a rally of her ruling People's National Party in Naggo Head, St Catherine.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister P J Patterson, indicated at the rally that he would be announcing the date of the general election at the public session of the party's conference in Half-Way-Tree.

"This will be the last time my horses will leave the stables and come to the starters gate ... so on your marks, get set, see you in Half-Way-Tree ... and we shall see what we shall see," said Patterson.

The PNP president was, however, upset with comments reportedly made by Jamaica Labour Party leader, Edward Seaga, on reasons why the PNP was marginally ahead in opinion polls.

" When they ask Seaga why is the PNP ahead him sey is because the people drink rum over Independence time... and is why they voting for the PNP. In the days of slavery anytime the slaves were fighting for freedom they said it was because they were drunk [and is ] because they thief sugar and drink rum ...let me tell you something, between now and next election everybody is going to be drunk from the power of the PNP. But is not rum why the people turn to PNP is solid achievement," said Patterson.

Patterson said the tactic in gaining points in the polls was the party's grassroots campaign strategy.

"In April the polls show dem leading, I man no worry... I just call, Paul Robertson and Maxine Henry-Wilson and said to them to take leave and go into the by-ways and hedges. When it comes to organisation no political party in the entire Caribbean can match the PNP," he said.