Please permit me space to respond to Mr Charles Brown's letter of November 18, headlined, 'Please pity the poor Percival LaTouche'.

Mr Brown's letter supported my viewpoint rather than contradicted it. In his second paragraph, he quoted the United Nations declaration concerning a nation's right to protect its "best interest" in the case of deciding who can enter and stay in their territory. Countries also have the right to decide on what conditions persons may enter and stay. It is exactly on this basis that I make my remarks and I am happy that Mr Brown supported my statement.

How the decision was made

It seems, therefore, that the only grounds for contention between us is the manner in which the decision was made. I have no way of knowing how this occurred, and it seems that Mr Brown does not know either. He admits that diverse groups of immigrants live in the UK. He also admits that there are many who break the laws and rules and create problems for other law-abiding persons. He, however, comes to the strange conclusion that "the Government is hitting out at the wrong people". He gives no evidence to support this, except to say that the UK appears to be swayed by decisions in another country.

Mr Brown suggests that I should be the object of pity. This is a cruel piece of irony since, it seems from this emotional outburst, that it is Mr Brown who needs pity. He is scared of another wave of immigrants coming home to Jamaica. I wish to remind him that, included in this wave, are persons who having lived in the UK for decades, and who freely and willingly decide to make the return trip to their homeland.

I represent a large percentage of people in this group. They are all persons of exemplary character and no one should be afraid of them resettling here in Jamaica. If, therefore, the fear of returnees relates to those who break laws and rules, why should the UK not be fearful as well?

On the other hand, why should the government of the UK assume the responsibility to interface with Jamaicans, of whom their own people are afraid? We need to understand that sovereignty does not make us accountable in good times. We are accountable when things are going well and when things need cleaning up.

Emigrants leave our shores to seek a better life abroad. If they abandon their original goal and become trouble-makers and misfits, they should not be aggrieved if the host country says, "Sorry, we cannot accommodate you". I pity the man who cannot understand and accept this.

I am etc.,

Percival LaTouche

latouche.percival@gmail.com