By Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterSOME MEMBERS of the Opposition and political commentators are in support of the resolution moved by Government back-benchers in the House of Representatives on Wednesday to consider impeaching Parliamentarians who associate with 'questionable characters'.
But the commentators warned that the debate on the issue must be conducted along non-partisan lines.
Senator Bruce Golding and chairman of the Jamaica Labour Party, in commenting on the resolution, told The Gleaner, "It is an issue that needs urgently to be addressed". He added that the matter was something for which he has been "crusading" for the past 10 years.
Meanwhile Derrick Smith, Leader of Opposition Business in the House criticised the back-benchers stating that, "The resolution brought to the House smacks of politics, hypocrisy and opportunism (and) it is unfortunate that the MPs, swayed by political interests, should have brought the resolution at this time."
But Mr. Smith, pointing out that a similar proposal was already brought to the House by the Opposition some 10 years ago, said the Opposition was ready to participate in the ensuing debate on the recent resolution.
Said Mr. Smith: "Such a legislation would have taken care of their concerns. The Opposition stands ready to vigorously debate this resolution in the House if and when it is scheduled."
In reacting to the PNP-sponsored resolution, Shalman Scott, former Mayor of Montego Bay and western Jamaica political analyst, said the sentiments (of the back-benchers) were not new. The overemphasis on the Olivia 'Babsy' Grange issue, he cautioned, could "cloud the reality that what happened to her could have easily happened to any politician on either side of the Chamber. At this time the biblical injunction 'let him that is without sin cast the first stone' becomes relevant," he added.
In agreeing with the recent impeachment proposal, Rev. Al Miller said "it is absolutely essential that the welfare of people should be guarded by persons of integrity. If it is in tainted hands, then credibility will be lost and that makes governance difficult."
While acknowledging that the resolution was commendable, Rev. Dr. Roderick Hewitt, vice president of the Jamaica Council of Churches said that the call should not have been made because of a recent involvement of someone from one of the political parties.
LINK TO BE REMOVED
"In relation to crime and violence, we need to show the public that any link whatsoever that may be between crime and politics must be removed. So what they have asked for has good intention, but we would desire that it be bipartisan and that the process used to censure or remove a politician would carry the approval of both parties," he said.
The motion was moved by Dr. Morais Guy, Member of Parliament for St. Mary Central and signed by nine other Government MPs.
The motion comes on the heels of last week's reports by the police that leader of the 'One Order' gang, Oliver 'Bubba' Smith was killed by gunmen while driving a car, which the police said is co-owned by Miss Grange and one of her constituents.
