Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

WHEN Colin Campbell was named Minister of Information and general secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in April, it resurrected a political career that hit the skids one year earlier.

Yesterday's news that Mr. Campbell, 51, had resigned as a result of the so-called 'Trafigura Beheer scandal' seemed to have ended that career which began over 30 years ago when he was still a student at Calabar High School.

His resignation came five days after Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Bruce Golding's revelation that Trafigura had transferred J$31 million to bank accounts held by the PNP and Mr. Campbell.

Misuse of funds

PNP officials insist it was a donation by the company to help its campaign for pending general election. But for their opponents, it was yet another misuse of funds by the party which is approaching its 18th year in office.

Interestingly, at a December 1993 Gleaner Editors' Forum, Mr. Campbell said no administration had done more than the current Government to reduce corruption.

Indeed, he noted that most of the reputed scandals cited by the JLP were simply 'honest mistakes'.

"I am not going to say that there is no corruption taking place; I would be crazy and stupid to say that," Mr. Campbell told the forum. "But I can tell you that where the allegations have been made, the Government has been quick to make sure that they are properly investigated."

A journalist by profession, Mr. Campbell was assigned to the PNP secretariat in 2005 when he and current Foreign Affairs Minister, Anthony Hylton, contested the Western St. Andrew seat left vacant by O.T. Williams.

Political setback

He lost that election, which was seen as another setback for his political career. He was beaten by the JLP's St. Aubyn Bartlett in the 2002 general election for the Eastern St. Andrew seat, a constituency he won in 1993 when he defeated Bartlett's older brother, Edmund.

While still in sixth form at Calabar, Manchester-born Colin Campbell worked in the newsroom at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) as an editor and reporter. After two years with the National Youth Service, he returned to the JBC, and in early 1980 was appointed Prime Minister Michael Manley's press secretary.

For the past 13 years, Mr. Campbell has been Parliamentary Secretary or State Minister in various ministries, namely Water and Transport; Public Utilities and Transport; Local Government and Youth; Community Development, and Commerce, Industry and Technology.

Mr. Campbell, who is married, is also the father of two children.

I am not going to say that there is no corruption taking place; I would be crazy and stupid to say that.

- Colin Campbell, 1993 Gleaner Editors' Forum