By Robert Hart, Parliamentary ReporterOLIVIA 'BABSY' Grange, Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for Central St. Catherine, has called for legislation to define the roles and accepted behaviour of parliamentarians.
The call came during the Opposition MP's first public comments since being questioned by the police on her alleged relationship with members of the 'One Order' gang which is based in the heart of her constituency.
MORAL HAZARD
"Given the moral hazard parliamentarians face in carrying out their duties, it is clear that we now need a legislation or amendment to the code of conduct and terms of reference for Parliamentarians," Ms. Grange said. She was speaking in the House of Representatives Wednesday, while making her contribution to the Sectoral Debate.
She has been under fire since the murder of Oliver 'Bubba' Smith, an alleged gang leader who was shot on Festival Road, off Whitehall Avenue, on July 12. After the shooting, it was revealed that the car being driven by Smith was jointly owned by Ms. Grange and Anthony Hope, the alleged second-tier leader of the gang.
Ms. Grange says she has no knowledge of Mr. Hope being involved in any criminal activities, and that she had only assisted a constituent in guaranteeing a loan for the purchase of the car.
"I want to make it clear I do not support, endorse or encourage those who embrace crime, but I remain ready to assist all those who want to make it right with the law, and all those who seek rehabilitation," Ms. Grange said on Wednesday, without making any direct reference to her recent difficulties.
The new legislation, she said, would clearly state the legal bounds of parliamentarians' actions and remove the grey areas open for criticism on grounds of ethics and morality.
"Importantly and especially for younger Parliamentarians, it would remove the considerable pressure some constituents place on their representative for personal benefits," Ms. Grange said. She added that she would be the first to embrace such an initiative and called on the Government to move speedily in such a direction.
