The Prime Minister has raced out of the starting blocks to publicly announce that the e-mails in the alleged Emailgate scandal were fake. This is an act preemptive of the official statement of investigative findings by the Commissioner of Police.
This is being described as the "big one" or the trump card of the Government for the upcoming general elections. The Government has to have more trump in their deck if they are to win this election because only the police can officially determine the validity of the e-mails.
Dr Rowley had a responsibility as Leader of the Opposition to raise this issue as a matter in the public interest. The laying of this information in Parliament gives Emailgate an opportunity for due consideration and attention.
There is now an opportunity for those involved to seek to clear their name due to the intensity and nature of the e-mails. As citizens we have received calls from the police service time and time again to assist with solving crime. Therefore, no appearance of wrongdoing must be left to chance especially in circumstances where someone's life maybe in danger.
The move to bring a motion of censure against Dr Rowley for putting this information in the public domain for those accused to answer is counterproductive. If the Government brings this motion, particularly without the public report of the Commissioners of Police, we are sending a dangerous message to the citizens of this country.
The net effect of this move by the Prime Minister signals to the public that they should not come forward with information to the police. I am saying this because citizens are already scared to come forward with information on criminal activity that can aid the police in their duties.
To add punishment to fear the Government wants to put Dr Rowley on trial for coming forward with information that may save the life of a journalist.
Like most citizens of this country I really thirst for policies and plans to be articulated on political platforms. We cannot afford to play on petty politics when our economic and social issues are left on a back-burner during these upcoming elections.
Ronald Huggins,
St Joseph.