Opposition leader denies party proposal

People’s National Party (PNP)President, Portia Simpson Miller is denying that her party agreed to proposals to extend the period for which persons can be detained without being charged.



She was responding to media reports that suggested that the proposal was agreed on by both government and opposition following recent bi-partisan talks on crime.



Mrs. Simpson Miller’s presentation at the joint divisional conference of the Beecher Town and Lyme Hall divisions in St. Ann, reflected the PNP’s decision not support any crime fighting initiative that will deprive Jamaican’s of their rights.



During the sectoral debate in parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that the government would be seeking to lengthen the period during which criminal suspects can be detained without being charged.



He also said there could be restrictions on the granting of bail as according to him many criminals are committing additional crimes, including murders while awaiting trial.



Mrs. Simpson Miller said as far as she is concerned there will have to be more discussions on the crime-fighting plan before it can be implemented.