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| Mark Golding - Leader of the Opposition |
The People's National Party has called for an independent investigation and an urgent House Committee meeting following the resignation of Christopher Cowan, Deputy Clerk to the Houses of Parliament. His is the latest in a troubling pattern of senior departures that threatens the effective functioning of Jamaica's Parliament.
In a letter dated September 29, 2026, Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding, MP, wrote to Mrs Jacqueline Mendez, Chief Personnel Officer of the Services Commissions. He formally requested an urgent investigation and independent assessment of the circumstances of the resignation and the wider concerns which have been raised concerning the working environment within the Houses of Parliament. The letter was copied to the Governor General, the Speaker and the President of the Senate.
On the same day, Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell, MP, wrote to Hon. Floyd Green, Leader of Government Business and Chairman of the House Committee. He urged the Committee to convene without delay, receive a staffing update and determine what action is needed.
"The Parliament belongs to the people of Jamaica, and its administrative machinery must be stable, professional and capable of supporting Members on both sides of the House," said Mr Paulwell.
"When experienced officers leave one after another, institutional knowledge leaves with them. We must address this now, before it becomes a broader disruption of parliamentary operations."
The PNP maintains that these losses strain remaining staff, weaken succession planning and put the independence of the parliamentary service at risk. Every Jamaican has a stake in a Parliament that works.
The Party awaits a favourable response from both authorities.
Editors Note
If there is a high turnover of Gordon House staff, the appropriate persons to discuss the matter with or to write a letter to is the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. As far as I know, the employees of Gordon House are not members of the civil service. If the Services Commission is requested to carry out an investigation into what is happening to the staff at Gordon House, then that would be asking the Services Commission to act ultra vires.
Do we know the circumstances why Christopher Cowan is leaving? Did he state that in his resignation letter, and was the letter made available to members of parliament?
It seems to me that it is a breach of protocol for the letter to be written to other persons and copied to the Speaker of the House. Was the President of the Senate informed?
I think it is also unusual to write a letter and copy your head of state. Why is the head of state being copied?
I would love to get some feedback on the points that I have outlined here.
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