THE INTELLIGENCE unit operating at 62 Lady Musgrave Road, St. Andrew, and which was headed by a civilian (Roderick "Jimmy" McGregor) had been set up without the Government's knowledge, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told Parliament yesterday.
After giving the House of Representatives an update on the state of the investigation of the wire-tapping and drug-trafficking scandal in which top police officers are alleged to have been involved, he was asked by Derrick Smith, MP (JLP) for St. Andrew North West and Opposition spokesman on National Security, whether the unit had been established with the knowledge, consent and approval of the Ministry of National Security or any other arm of government.
"To my certain knowledge, no," the Prime Minister replied.
Also he said instructions had been given several weeks ago for the engagement of the civilian officer at the intelligence unit (McGregor) to be terminated.
In reply to a question from Mr. Karl Samuda, MP (JLP) St. Andrew North Central, he said the authorities which are responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the lines at the Office of the Prime Minister; at Vale Royal, the Prime Minister's official residence, and at his personal residence, "have assured me and confirmed to me today ... that they are satisfied as to the integrity of those lines ...".
Mr. Patterson gave clear indication Deputy Commissioner Owen Clunie, who is in charge of the Bureau of Special Investigations, is being investigated.
"For reasons which are palpably obvious, the Bureau of Special Investigations could not be expected, in the circumstances of the present allegations, to undertake this function in respect of these allegations," the Prime Minister said.
"The Director of Public Prosecutions in the discharge of his functions will have to select an investigative unit suitably staffed and equipped."
He said the DPP had already indicated the expertise he needed for the range of complex matters before him may require collaboration with security entities that "are partners with us in a variety of mutual security assistance/support programmes", an obvious reference to the United States, Britain and Canada.
Also, Mr. Patterson said, the DPP could recruit to investigate the allegations, serving or retired members of the Jamaica Constabulary.
