Opposition could withdraw support to gov't over handling of Petrojam saga

Leader of the Opposition Dr Peter Phillips has warned that the parliamentary watchdog may review its cooperation with the Government over the Prime Minister Andrew Holness' failure to fire former energy minister Dr Andrew Wheatley.

Phillips said the parliamentary opposition could withdraw from the Vale Royal talks, which recently resumed.

Addressing a press conference at the People's National Party (PNP) headquarters in St Andrew this morning, Phillips said that in failing to hold Wheatley accountable over the allegations of corruption, nepotism, and cronyism that have been uncovered at Petrojam, the prime minister has not acted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

He contends that Holness has brought the office into disrepute.

"By failing to hold minister Wheatley accountable the prime minister is also creating a crisis of governance and normalising the corruption that is [allegedly] becoming rampant in various departments of government".

Phillips charged that the Constitution requires the prime minister to hold ministers accountable, not only for policy but for "general direction and control".

Making reference to Ministry Paper 19/2002 on the issue of the Code of Conduct for Ministers, Phillips said: "Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to 'whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office'".

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