Manatt scandal irks diaspora

The Manatt affair has reportedly dominated discussions among Jamaicans in the United States and Canada.

Representatives of the diaspora communities in both countries say Jamaicans are "angry" and "hurt" by Prime Minister Bruce Golding's handling of the matter.

Speaking to The Gleaner from South Florida yesterday, Dr Rovan Locke, publisher of the Caribbean American Commentator, said most of the anger directed at Golding stemmed from the fact that "he promised so much" when he took office.

"Jamaicans believe that the prime minister is showing a sense of weakness and that he has allowed one man in his constituency to have so much control over him, the country, the (Jamaica Labour) Party and the diaspora," Locke said.

Radio commentator and immigration activist, Irwin Clare, said the anger over the Manatt debacle has dominated the airwaves in the Jamaican community overseas.

led us astray

He said Golding's admission during his national broadcast on Monday night "has caused hurt that our prime minister has led us astray".

"It is obvious that things seem to be in a quagmire now. Until that situation is resolved, people are going to feel hurt," he stressed.

The Jamaica Diaspora Canada Foundation, in a statement yesterday, said the "current state of affairs" was regretful and urged the Government to resolve it swiftly.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips is a United States-based law firm that was retained by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to lobby the United States government on a treaty dispute with Jamaica.

On March 16, when People's National Party Member of Parliament Dr Peter Phillips first questioned Golding about Manatt, the prime minister said the Government had not entered into a contract with the firm.

However, Golding later admitted that he not only knew about the matter, but had sanctioned it in his capacity as leader of the JLP.

The firm has insisted that it was contracted by the Government of Jamaica, but the JLP contends that Manatt was hired by the party.