Dishonourable Utterances Re Clifton Boys’ Home Alleged Assault Case

September 30, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

The State Minister Robert Nesta Morgan’s utterances in the Clifton Boys’ Home allegations before the criminal court which could be construed as making a mockery of our judicial system and is a calculated attempt at influencing the court and thereby causing the accused to not get a fair trial is sleazy, stupid, shameful, and scandalous to say the least.

If asked to comment on a matter concerning criminal charges before a court the Honourable State Minister Robert Nesta Morgan, had the option to decline from publicly commenting.

Presumption Of Innocent

Most of all, all persons accused of an offence is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a competent court of law. This is the foundation of our judicial system.  In Morgan’s case, separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary dictates that that line is not crossed or blurred.

If the goodly State Minister had engaged his brain before articulating his tongue he would have zipped his lips.

Fair Trial

The accused cannot now get a fair trial as Morgan’s utterances are designed to ensure this does not happen.  You cannot throw the baby out with the bath water.

Alleged criminal conduct is not here being condoned.

This is dishonourable conduct on the part of Robert Nesta Morgan which is contrary to our criminal code. It is wrong  for someone holding a public office to so do.

It should be noted that dishonourable conduct in a public office is in itself a criminal act.

DPP

I am calling on the Office of the DPP to take note of Morgan’s utterances/ conduct and act accordingly.

Commentary

We have to be careful not to use freedom of speech to make a mockery of decency and good order. Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan has dishonoured himself by his utterances. He should know better and is an embarrassment to PM Andrew Michael Holness and his government. This is shameful indeed.  He should reflect on his future.

Do not trample on justice in any way. What is your perspective?

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a poet, elegist and career international journalist who writes for Vision newspaper.