Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

SHAW

Ocho Rios, St. Ann:

The announcement by former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, that he will be returning to political campaigning, has been sharply criticised by the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

Motive questioned

Deputy Leader, Audley Shaw, in describing the move as inappro-priate, questioned the motive behind this decision by Mr. Patterson. "The former Prime Minister is so intent on keeping or trying to keep the PNP in power. Is it because there is some secret in there, that if the Labour Party ever win, we are going to find out the secret?" he argued.

On Saturday at the PNP con-ference at the National Arena in Kingston, Mr. Patterson an-nounced that he is ready for another election campaign and called on the delegates to rally around Prime Minister, Mrs. Portia Simpson Miller.

Outstanding questions

But speaking at the Beecher Town divisional conference of the JLP in St. Ann on Sunday night, Mr. Shaw said, "Well, I have one message for the former Prime Minister tonight. You come back into active politics and we are going to put the questions to you."

And speaking later in an interview, the JLP deputy leader said that although he was not implying any motive regarding Mr. Patterson's return, there are several outstanding questions for which the party will be seeking answers from him. He said: "These are issues that this country is concerned about now with Sandals Whitehouse at the top of that list."