Harrison sets record straight ... Says he made no public comment about Barnswell

Contractor General Dirk Harrison has sought to set the record straight, following a sharp rebuke from the Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ) for his alleged snubbing of Mayor of May Pen Scean Barnswell at a recent awards ceremony for justices of the peace.

Vice-president of ALGAJ, Audrey Smith Facey, in a statement to the media on Wednesday, castigated Harrison for reportedly stating that he did not feel comfortable in the presence of Barnswell, who attended the function at which the contractor general was the guest speaker.

Hitting back in a statement to the press, Harrison yesterday described ALGAJ's account of the incident and certain comments in the media as erroneous and unfortunate.

His side of the story

Giving his side of the story, Harrison said the only discussion he held in relation to Barnswell was with Custos of Clarendon William Shagoury when he arrived at the ceremony.

"The concern raised by the contractor general, in speaking with the Hon. Custos, was specifically in relation to not being comfortable with the perception that could arise from the fact that he was asked to be guest speaker at a function where Mayor Scean Barnswell was being asked to bring greetings," Harrison explained.

"Mayor Barnswell is an elected public official who holds the position of the First Citizen of Clarendon. His office ought to be respected by all," Facey commented.

Based on its version of the incident, ALGAJ demanded a public apology from Harrison.

But, it appears, the contractor general is not in an apologetic mood, stating yesterday that he did not, at any time, publicly announce any objection to the mayor's presence at the function.

Harrison indicated that his reservations, which were expressed to Shagoury, emanate from his legal training and years of training as a prosecutor and as a public servant, which require certain ethical standards and practices in ongoing criminal cases.

Barnswell is before the courts for breaches of the Contractor General's Act.

"The OCG must also respectfully assert that as public servants, we must at all times be mindful of the risks associated with interactions with an accused, particularly, the message (it) sends to the public and the potential damage that any perception held could bear upon the case."