The Editor, Sir:

I distinctly remember that when Danville Walker was appointed director of elections in 1997, it was said that he had recently returned from living in the United States. He had been living there for several years and had returned initially to assist in running his parents' bakery when the opportunity arose for him to serve the country as director of elections.

The late 1990s was a time when a number of Jamaicans with specialised expertise were being commended for returning home to contribute to the country's development. Mr. Walker was one such returnee and was widely commended.

Shortly after his appointment, Mr. Walker was interviewed by Ian Boyne on 'Profile' and this information was again confirmed. Maybe Mr. Boyne will air that programme again to jog our memories.

So, how is it that suddenly everyone is pretending to be caught off guard by the revelation that Mr. Walker holds U.S. citizenship? Shouldn't the EOJ, his new employers at the time, have made adequate checks to ascertain the constitutionality of appointing someone with dual citizenship?

I am, etc.,

OWEN K. FERGUSON

owenkferguson@hotmail.com