The last time I checked, Jamaica was still a democracy where freedom of speech abounds. So long as you do not defame people or break the law of the land. So, while Everald Warmington has every right to criticize former Prime Minister Bruce Golding for repeating a simple truth, he is dead wrong. In discussing the SSL fraud scandal, mister Golding aims his criticism against the Government, and certainly not against the Prime Minister as Everald Warmington suggested.
Still, the Jamaican people should forgive Warmington. Because he may not be doing well. And I say that to say this, no reasonable person would find what Bruce Golding said about the SSL issue offensive.
“The Government has a responsibility. They are the ones that issue licenses to these investment houses, and with the issuing of the license, what they are saying to the public is, I am satisfied that these are good people to do business with, so you can go ahead and do business with them. Well, that is what Usain Bolt did, and look what happened to him,” Golding, a former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, said during a radio program.
Bruce Golding
The remarks infuriated Warmington, a minister without a portfolio in the current JLP administration.
In his rant, Warmington referred to the former Prime Minister as a guy who has lost his relevance and is now trying to be relevant by attacking his party.
“But I will defend the Jamaica Labour Party, Andrew Holness’ administration. And Prime Minister Andrew Holness by any means necessary. All within my power, I will defend them, even against one who is supposed to be one of us,” said Warmington.
Everald Warmington