The Editor, Sir:

I see no problem with the current salary arrangement that GraceKennedy has with Don Wehby. Mr. Wehby has taken an oath of office and, like every other Cabinet minister, he should, without prejudice, be trusted to live up to that oath.

Furthermore, an argument could be made that potential conflicts of interest already exist or could arise with any Cabinet minister at anytime. Isn't it fair to assume that Cabinet ministers, or at least some of them, have close friends and relatives in various spheres of endeavour, commercial and otherwise?

Why should the trust placed in these Cabinet ministers be any different than the trust placed in Mr. Wehby? Moreover, whether or not Mr. Wehby's salary is topped up by GraceKennedy makes little difference in practical/realistic terms.

Hypothetically speaking, even if a decision is taken that Mr. Wehby should no longer receive his salary from GK, this will have little or no bearing on the conflict of interest argument. Why? Because if Mr. Wehby so chooses, he could secretly reveal classified government information to GK at anytime throughout his tenure, whether or not he is paid over the period of his employment with the government.

Therefore, the issue of trust is the only one that should be taken into account when assessing Mr. Wehby. He has a sterling track record of integrity, credibility, decency and professionalism in the private sector, which is enough, as far as I am concerned, to accord him with the benefit of any doubt that might arise in relation to his current role.

The only way that there would be no potential conflict of interest - in so far as his relationship with GK is concerned - is if Mr. Wehby had no intention of returning to that company, or any other company within the private sector, after his tenure comes to a close.

Let us move away from this futile and baseless issue and allow Mr. Wehby to do his job!

I am, etc.,

PATRICK A. GALLIMORE

@hotmail.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica