Samuda

A defiant Karl Samuda, Member of Parliament for St. Andrew North Central, yesterday refused to back down from his declaration that the controversial Noel Hylton report was submitted to former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson and the Cabinet.

Facing a censure motion for "deliberately misleading" the House, Samuda's remarks on the issue during his presentation to the Sectoral Debate last year has led to a long and contentious debate on the veracity of his claim.

Appearing before the committee for the first time yesterday, the unrepentant MP told his colleagues that he did not intend to apologise for his comments.

"Mr. Chairman, I will neither apologise for carrying out my constitutional responsibility to the people of this country, nor will I be intimidated in any way by the threats of either suspension or expulsion from the House of Parliament, where I spent the last 27 years," he maintained.

However, despite his defiance, Government members urged Mr. Samuda to reconsider his position on the matter. Dr. Patrick Harris, Member of Parliament for Northern Trelawny, charged that Samuda's statement was erroneous and was made in "blatant contempt" of the House, adding that the member should withdraw those remarks.

But committee member Bruce Golding said the entire Opposition was standing in defence of Mr. Samuda.

Golding, who also showed some defiance, added: "... If what you are seeking to extract from Mr. Samuda is some withdrawal or apology, you 'aint gonna' get it." He told the House Speaker Michael Peart might have to recommend to the House that the entire Opposition be censured.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com