MacMillan... Irrespective of what is said about them, they have a right to certain things.
National Security Minister Trevor MacMillan has backed arguments that dons reserve the right to present their opinions on six controversial anti-crime bills being considered by a joint select committee of Parliament.
"Irrespective of what is said about them, they have a right to certain things," MacMillan told The Gleaner yesterday, shortly after speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of downtown Kingston.
However, MacMillan said people with criminal records should be barred from the process.
Not restricted
According to him, dons are commonplace at political meetings and they are not restricted.
He, however, refused to comment further on the issue.
The suggestion that dons be allowed to address the committee deliberating on the anti-crime bills was first made by Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles in Parliament on Tuesday.
Committee chairperson, Dorothy Lightbourne, had asked committee members to suggest groups and organisations that could be invited to comment on the proposed pieces of legislation crafted by the Bruce Golding-led administration.
After listing journalists, Jamaicans For Justice and women's movements, Charles stunned some members of the committee when he said the 'dons' association' should appear before the committee.
Responding to Charles' comment, Senator Lightbourne said everyone should be given the opportunity to make a presentation on the bills.
Ridiculous
Amid a chorus of dissent from some opposition members, K.D. Knight, opposition senator and former minister of national security, retorted: "Dons coming in to influence legislation in the Jamaican House of Parliament, and we talk about it? Ridiculous!"
A livid Knight then walked out of the chamber, at which time his colleague, Senator A.J. Nicholson, expressing disgust, said: "When they invite the dons here, I will not be a part of that discussion."
In an attempt to clarify Charles' comments, Senator Lightbourne said he was being excessive. Charles later asked that his earlier controversial pronouncements be amended to reflect what the chairperson had said.
