Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
OUTGOING FOREIGN Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, K.D. Knight, says he will be using his time away from ministerial duties to write a book on his experiences and challenges faced while a Cabinet Minister.
Minister Knight announced his retirement plans while making his own 'farewell speech' to colleagues in Gordon House yesterday.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, who was making his contribution to a resolution seeking approval for four loan guarantees to the Port Authority of Jamaica, will not exactly be leaving the Parliament for now, but has signalled that he will not be available for duties within the Portia Simpson Miller Cabinet to be announced tomorrow.
"I have taken the decision to join those who sit at the back bench," he said. "One of the things we must remember is that the fact that one sits on the back bench does not mean that one cannot contribute to the proceedings of Parliament and to the business of the nation."
NO TELEVISION CAMERAS
Yesterday, Mr. Knight said he was disappointed that there were no television cameras in the press box to record what he considered a "historic" moment.
After his presentation, he then shook the hands of his colleagues, mockingly bowed to acting House Speaker O.T. Williams, and walked from the Chamber.
But before stepping through the door, Mr. Knight saluted his colleagues to the applause and laughter of those present.
The Foreign Affairs Minister's retirement from the Cabinet comes just weeks after his harsh and controversial criticisms of Portia Simpson Miller during the recent People's National Party presidential race.
