MP George Wright Denied Natural Justice

April 16, 2021 Zhane Squire

April 16, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

The Jamaican society has been gripped in a mystery as to who appears on a video and therefore who done it. It is about a partner violence accusation. The mystery is so intriguing that it makes an Agatha Christie novel look like it is not trying. It appears that Sherlock Holmes would find this case unsolvable. This mystery is so complex that the entire nation has been transfixed in this regard.

The matter of and the possible future of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) MP George Wright regarding whether an image seen on a video beating a female, which has gone viral on Social Media is the said MP.?

Police Interview

Mr. Able Don Foote, attorney-at-law accompanied MP Wright to an interview at the Freeport Police Station, Montego Bay, April 14, 2021. After a rather lengthy interview, the police did not press any charges.

“We have heard Mr. Wright’s name was being called in the the public domain. So he volunteered to clear his name ”

Asserts a very articulate Able Don Foote speaking publicly. He was being interviewed on radio:

Able Don Foote said inter alia:

“At no time did anyone say Mr. Wright was caught on any video.”

Mr. Foote was speaking to Tauna Thomas and Danielle Archer today April 15, 20210 on morning radio on NNN. He choose his words very carefully. Text book style, you may say.

Precedent

Court Dumped Video

In Ocho Rios some time ago there was a video in circulation of a police kicking a victim. The matter went to court and the officer was acquitted. The court was not satisfied with the integrity of the evidence. The integrity of any evidence placed before a court has to be established. If the court is satisfied that the evidence be it a video or anything else, may be tampered with then it is not bound to be handcuffed or be imprisoned by such prime face evidence.

The PM is being urged to act, by discipling MP Wright. He cannot act on shaky evidential material based on that tape.

George Wright

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Horace Chang on potential of breadfruit — Photo: Jamaican National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang

In this instant case the police has not been able to verify if image caught on video of what appears to be a male beating a female mercilessly. As stated above, you will recall that the court acquitted the police as the court found the integrity of the evidence not reliable. Evidence has to be able to stand on solid grounds. Was the video in facts edited?

High Level Meeting

The Gender Minister and Deputy PM Dr. The Honourable Horace Chang are to meet shortly to discuss the matter according to an impeccable source.

Cliff Hughes said inter alia:

“I think his refusal to say whether he is the person in the video or not means he is that person.”

Cliff Hughes installing himself as judge, jury and executioner. What a disgraceful piece of utterance.

Nadeen Spence Gender

activist said inter alia:

“I feel that the Labour Party has taken too long to deal with the matter. They can deal with the matter at another level. The JLP has lost political capital over their handling of the George Wright issue”

Like breaching the natural justice of MP George Wright? Ms. Spence et al.

Top Level Meeting

Today Wednesday April 15, 2021

Gender Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange met with MP George Wright and Deputy PM & Gen. Secretary Dr. Horace Chang, as was hinted above on schedule. They in fact met this afternoon at an undisclosed location. Following said meeting Dr. Chang is to send a detailed report to the Caucus group who will meet later today. Minister Grange could not be reached. A reliable source when contacted advised that Grange was in Caucus and the PM was currently addressing the Caucus at about 5: 20 PM.

Natural Justice

When other MPs have been involved with possible negative interactions have been identified as being handled differently. The Parliament has always awaited the police or courts before moving against a suspect or errant MP. Natural justice seem to be a consideration, and rightly so.

Natalee Neita (Headley), MP for the PNP has been charged for Assault and the PNP or JLP has not asked for her suspension or that any disciplinary action be taken against her. We understand that the matter has now been settled. Mediation was the route for settlement. Details were not disclosed.

No Charges

The fact that the police did not proffer any charges against Mr. George Wright is likely due to shaky evidence. Fear of a possible law suit by MP Wright for malicious prosecution cannot be ruled out.

Will the leadership of the ruling JLP use as excuse perceived political fallout and so trample on the human rights of George Wright, preventing him (Wright) from getting a fair trial?

Commentary

With Me Too like pressure will MP George Wright be accorded natural justice? Unprofessional elements in the media along with so called gender leaning sympathizers are bating up the government. This is in my view is to urge the powers at be to deny and disregard the human and charter rights of MP Wright. This is shameful if not downright distasteful, demeaning and disgraceful if not unfortunate.

Should we be listening to the likes of Nadeen Spence? Does she and others have any credibility left based on past non action or utterances of say the likes of Nadeen Spences’s part?

Question To Minister Grange.

Will Gender Minister Grange bow to considerable pressure to act irrationally?

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a poet, and veteran journalist who has a keen interest in social justice issues and Fair play. He has international exposure.