( L - R ) Montague, Warmington

Robert Montague, State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Local Government reform, has expressed "deep regret" for statements he made at a political rally on December 2.

This follows mounting public pressure and an insistence from Prime Minister Bruce Golding that he apologised for his remarks.

Mr. Montague and his colleague, Junior Minister of Housing and Water, Everald Warmington, were summoned to Jamaica House by Mr. Golding for their utterances, which have prompted at least one group, Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections, to call for their resignations.

In a release yesterday, Mr. Montague said his comments had embarrassed the Government and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and ran counter to the vision of consensus building and good governance, articulated by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Montague had warned persons at a political rally in Portland, on December 2, that only if they voted for the JLP councillor would their roads be repaired.

Public Defender Earl Witter said he was relieved that Mr. Montague had tendered an apology for his statement.

"I express profound relief that it has come in such fulsome and unreserved terms. Mr. Montague's unreserved apology surely mitigates his sin," he said.

However, he cautioned against such utterances, which perpetuates divisiveness and "lends itself, on occasions, violent protest".

Sharp public outcry

In regard to Mr. Warmington's comments, which elicited sharp public outcry, the Public Defender said he hoped that his apology was not long in coming. He said in the absence of an apology some sanction would be appropriate.

Attempts to reach Mr. Warmington for a comment were futile as calls to his extension, transferred by his secretary, were unanswered.

The State Minister told Old Harbour residents in the run-up to the December 5 local government elections that if they did not vote for the JLP they would not receive hurricane-relief cheques.

Karl Samuda, General Secretary of the JLP, told The Gleaner yesterday that Mr. Warmington was scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister at Jamaica House late yesterday.

Mr. Samuda said he hoped that at the end of that meeting the junior minister would submit an apology.

Meanwhile, Mr. Montague said that while his comments were made in the heat of political fervour, he accepted full responsibility for his actions.

"To the wider public, my constituents, friends and family, while I believe that a retraction is not sufficient, I hope you will find it in the deep recess of your hearts to forgive me and afford me the opportunity to complete the task assigned me to serve you with your help and guidance," he added.

Mr. Montague said he had learnt a valuable lesson from this unfortunate incident and he was heartened at the constructive criticisms that he received since his statement.

"I have also learnt that my actions whether conducted on the political platform, on official occasion or in my daily life must be of a high standard that reflects decorum and respect for the voter as well as the people and political institutions of Jamaica," he said.

- Edmond Campbell