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| Dennis Gordon MP |
Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), notes with great concern the reported decision by People’s National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Central, Dennis Gordon, to decline an invitation to appear before Parliament’s Ethics Committee.
The Ethics Committee plays a vital role in safeguarding integrity and accountability in public life. When legitimate questions arise concerning statements or disclosures made by a public official, it is both appropriate and necessary that such matters be addressed through established parliamentary mechanisms.
Gordon’s reported refusal to appear before the Committee represents a direct challenge to the principles of good governance and accountability. It undermines the authority of the Committee and, by extension, the institutional role of Parliament in ensuring that public officials are held to account.
In light of recent and troubling media reports concerning Mr. Gordon and his JACDEN Group, particularly in connection with the ongoing tax exemption scandal at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), it is evident that significant questions remain unanswered and warrant full and transparent examination.
Young Jamaica repeats its call for PNP President Mark Golding to demand the resignation of Dennis Gordon as MP. His continued conduct and public statements raise serious concerns and fall short of the standards of accountability and propriety expected of holders of public office.
Editors Note
Can the committee summon any citizen to attend a hearing? There are certain matters that should not require a long discussion—resignation is a first option.
So the committee has no teeth? No belt or guava stick? No makka bush to enforce their request for the declining MP's presence?
ReplyDeleteThe political framework is very weak and shaky. Where are the laws? Jamaica didn't get a good start in 1962 and still cannot find its footing. The system is so riddled that this individual is refusing to appear before the committee, bc he believes they lack the credibility to judge or scold him. Very sad reality we live in.
ReplyDeleteIf we had proper legislation, all this would have been avoidable. He, just like so many others before him who were found in similar situations would have been given time to appear and failure to do so in a specific time frame would lead to other measures. So many on the other side are guilty of various forms of misconduct and were not summoned before such a committee. It should be about governance and not party politics. Our leaders are extremely immature and the people are paying the price. One law for all.
I have been expressing my concerns about the UHWI and I was shocked when I heard that management was building a car park with few or no controls for how the funds are handled. It has set a precedent for other health institutions churches and other business places to charge for parking. It got worse when I got to understand that custom duties to provide especially for poor people have not been paid over to the state.. Jamaica has become a place where people have lost their morals. They use the threat of the libel laws to shut up the people, and they are not ashamed of being connected to immoral things. The good Lord help us!
ReplyDeleteThe MP should appear before the committee.
ReplyDeleteEqually all others with integrity issues should.
Those protecting MPs with integrity issues from being named should also be called to the Committee.
Some smart person will quote section this or that,creating a mirage that prevents all of them from appearing before the Committee it. While all of the pulling and pushing is occurring Jah Jah's Kingdom is going to waste. Lordy!
What about the other companies. Nothing no names no accountability. When the top is questionable what do you expect. Lead by example.
ReplyDelete