Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
THE COURTS have ordered Dr. Neil McGill, People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, to pay over roughly $150,000 owed for 21 months rent and vacate the property in the parish that houses his constituency office.
Information from records at the Port Maria Court's Office confirmed that Senior Resident Magistrate Sarah James handed down a default judgement against the MP on March 20.
The records revealed that the judgement was passed because the MP was a no-show.
The court records confirmed that Dr. McGill was ordered to pay over $147,000 and vacate the premises, which is located in Gayle.
When contacted, Dr. McGill said he has appealed the ruling. The matter is due back in court on April 10.
NO SUMMONS
Veroneeth McKenzie, who represents Lloyd Neil, the landlord, confirmed that Dr. McGill is trying to set aside the default judgment.
Dr. McGill told The Gleaner that he heard of the judgment by the way, as he did not receive a summons to answer to the charges brought against him.
"I was away in England ... I was not aware of it. I was never served a summons," he stressed.
Dr. McGill said he left the island on March 5 on parliamentary business and returned on the 21st.
However, Miss McKenzie insisted that Dr. McGill was served a summons. She claimed Dr. McGill owed her client 27 months rent and that, after much picketing, he paid up for six months, but has yet to fork out another cent.
The saga has given renewed significance to recommendation number eleven from the report of the Oliver Clarke-chaired Parliamentary Salaries Review Committee.
The Clarke Report suggested that, where possible, the State should provide a constituency office for every MP. The report unequivocally stated that the provided space should never be used as a political office for party purposes.
BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS
Dr. McGill concurred.
He said that budgetary constraints restrict him from having two separate offices. "We can't afford to do both," he lamented.
The Clarke Report also suggested that the provision of these offices be phased in over a five to 10 year period.
Additionally, the report recommended that the allowance paid to MPs to operate their constituency offices be increased and additional resources provided.
