Lead Stories

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

As the calls for the resignation of the prime minister heighten, official word from the Government is that Bruce Golding is engaged in a series of consultations before deciding his future.

Information Minister Daryl Vaz feverishly sought to quash swirling rumours that Golding had tendered his resignation to a meeting of officers of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) yesterday.

"The prime minister, the Government and the party take very seriously what has transpired and, therefore, these consultations and discussions have to be done in a very organised way," asserted Vaz.

The information minister continued to be the face and voice of the party in turmoil even as scores of other party faithfuls wound up heavily tinted windows to avoid the media.

Vaz sought to stave off a rush on the prime minister's official residence, Vale Royal, in the face of the rumours that the prime minister had buckled under pressure.

He said the prime minister started his day with an officers' meeting, followed by a meeting of the parliamentary group.

Vaz said Golding also held meetings with persons from his constituency and other party groups to culminate with a meeting on Sunday of the Central Executive of the JLP.

The Central Executive is the highest decision-making body of the party, after annual conference.

"After that, the prime minister and the party and the Government will communicate to the country the result of these consultations," Vaz told journalists.

"I am calling for calm and responsibility from those who report in the media," the information minister added.

"The Government has made good progress on the economic front and we would hate for rumours, speculations and sensationalism to disrupt this. This is a very serious time in the history of this country," he said.

"I am always available, I remain available, but please, in the interest of Jamaica, let us be responsible and careful in terms of how we continue to report on this developing story," Vaz pleaded.

Foremost concern

Asked whether the issue of Golding's resignation had been placed before the meeting, Vaz seemed evasive.

"In a situation like this, everything has to be aired. If you know the prime minister as well as I do, you would know that his first and foremost concern is his party."

Vaz said Golding had already received the full backing of his Cabinet colleagues and the officer corps of the JLP.

"But that is one function of the party, so (his resignation) must be a topic of discussion; no one can hide from that," Vaz declared.

Earlier, senior Cabinet member, Olivia Grange, who is not an officer of the party, said she was there to offer support to the Government during these difficult times.

But she declared that the party leader had no intention of resigning.

- gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com