Vaz slams Warmington on public funds disbursement issue

Controversial former government minister Everald Warmington was the subject of a stern rebuff from Minister of Science and Technology, Daryl Vaz, during the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee this afternoon. 

Warmington resigned last week following comments that he would starve an elected People's National Party councillor of public funds.

In a brief and heated exchange this afternoon, Warmington posed what he described as a “general question” to Vaz who was making his presentation to the committee. 

He enquired whether Vaz, as a Minister, could make allocations to councillors, to which Vaz responded “Not to my knowledge”. 

He further quizzed Vaz on whether he was aware of any ministry that could do that. 

“Not that I know of,” Vaz replied. 

Warmington then revealed that his question stemmed from a recent Jamaica Observer article in which Vaz asserted that state funds would not be distributed on a partisan basis under his watch.

"But then if that's the case why you're making statements…you made a statement the other day where I am concerned that you disassociate yourself from a statement I made in allocation. If it is not within a minister's to do it, then how you making such statements in the Observer?” Warmington charged. 

“Let me make it clear for all who have ears to hear and eyes to see, I do not support partisan political politics at any level, whether it's the councillor level, MP level or government level, and as a minister of government that will never happen under my watch in any way shape or form,” Vaz responded. 

“That is beyond my pay grade,” he added further. 

Warmington's retorts were unclear as his microphone was off. 

“It doesn't seem like you have learnt anything,” Vaz flung back. 

-Sashana Small

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