Former police chief, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, last week spent his first three days as minister of national security after Prime Minister Bruce Golding appointed him to take over the ministry, which had come under fire due to a rise in violent crimes in the island.

Derrick Smith, who shadowed the ministry for over a decade while in opposition, was ousted in favour of the ex-army man.

MacMillan, who served as the head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force from 1993-96, was appointed through the Senate and replaced Ian Murray, who resigned.

At his swearing-in ceremony as minister on Wednesday, MacMillan told the media that while he wanted the security forces to be tough on criminals, he would push for a coordinated attack on the social conditions which fostered criminality. The new security minister said some criminals now roaming the streets would have to be "caged".

Also happening last week ...

Derrick mined out

Derrick Smith, who shadowed the former government's ministers of national security for the better part of two decades, was shuffled out of the security ministry in favour of Colonel Trevor MacMillan and will now become minister of mining and telecommunications, increasing the 17-member Cabinet by one, with Clive Mullings maintaining the energy portfolio.

Smith, who is still on sick leave, will retain his position as minister with responsibility for electoral matters and leader of government business in the House.

No disrespect!

The leadership of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) closed ranks on Wednesday in the face of growing criticism of its handling of the change in leadership of the national security ministry.

Several callers to The Gleaner and to radio talk shows, including well-known workers in Derrick Smith's North West St Andrew constituency, on Tuesday complained that the veteran politician and senior JLP deputy leader had been disrespected.

They pointed to reports that the change had been leaked to the media before Smith had been informed.

The callers also questioned the timing of the change, which comes eight months after Smith assumed the portfolio and while he is battling a major illness.

Selling sex

Sociologists and children's rights advocates called last week for more aggressive legislation and stricter penalties to control the sale of pornographic and other sexually explicit material to underage children in the wake of an increase in the number of incidents involving students performing sexual deeds in the island's schools.

The call was also in relation to an undercover investigation conducted by The Gleaner in the Corporate Area, which revealed that streetside vendors have been selling illegal copies of pornographic videos and other publications to students.

Vaz appeals

The Court battle for the West Portland seat intensified with Member of Parliament (MP) Daryl Vaz filing a surprise appeal on Thursday, seeking to overturn the April 11 court ruling, which ousted him from Parliament.

Vaz filed the appeal in the Court of Appeal Thursday, a day after Abe Dabdoub, who represented the People's National Party, made good on his promise to appeal against the chief justice's ruling that a by-election take place to determine the MP for the constituency.

Dabdoub had filed an election petition seeking to be returned as the MP for West Portland.

Another JLP seat under threat

PEOPLE'S NATIONAL Party (PNP) caretaker for St Catherine North Eastern, Phyllis Mitchell, yesterday received the green light from the Court of Appeal to challenge Gregory Mair's eligibility to sit in Parliament.