“The Prime Minister’s admission that he sanctioned a scheme to circumvent the role of the government of Jamaica to resolve a treaty dispute with the government of the United States of America and normal diplomatic channels has brought the government into disrepute. The PM’s revelation of his party’s involvement resulted in strong criticisms from the opposition benches as they called for his resignation.įormer PM and leader of the People’s National Party (PNP) Portia Simpson-Miller called it the “mother of all scandals” and noted that the government has lost its credibility. He however insisted that it was his party that hired and paid the firm and not the government. The media house noted that after weeks of denying that his government did not hire American law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to intervene in the extradition of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, Golding finally acknowledged that he had “sanctioned the initiative”. KINGSTON, Jamaica – PARLIAMENTARIANS, political groups and members of the general public yesterday (May 11) called for Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s resignation, following his admission that he sanctioned the retaining of a law firm to lobby the US not to further seek extradition of one of his constituents.Īccording to Caribbean360, Golding made a statement in Parliament on Tuesday in which he sought to make a distinction between his actions as leader of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the head of government.

Jamaica prime minister bruce golding