Headlines:
| No rift between PM & Smith - JLP |
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| Thursday, 24 July 2008 | |
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Since the airing of Mr. Smith's pronouncements, sources say the two are hardly on speaking terms and Mr. Smith is being ostracised by some of his ministerial colleagues. The sources say some members of the cabinet have chided Smith for uttering the contentious remarks. Prime Minister Bruce Golding admitted that he saw the interview but refused to comment on what he thought of it. However, he was unflinching about his earlier stance in reassigning the senior Deputy Leader to his current Ministry. "Part of the burden of the job that I do, is that ultimately, the buck stops with me and I have to take the decisions that are in the best interest of the country", he said. 
"That was a particularly stressful portfolio and I didn't feel that
given the state of Derrick's health, that it would be fair to him to
carry that stress, nor do I think that it would have been fair to the
country, for the portfolio to await is treatment and recovery and
therefore I had to take a decision there," Mr. Golding added.
Mr. Golding said Mr. Smith is to advise him by the end of this week on a likely date for his resumption of duties. Political analysts say the party's leadership, which in the past has been dogged by in-fighting, must suppress even the slightest rumour of a major fall-out. Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) General Secretary Karl Samuda was quick to swat down any indication of developing cracks in the 10 month old Cabinet. Derrick Smith sent shock waves through political circles when he disclosd he was blind-sided by news that he was being shuffled out of his portfolio in May. He was moved in order to make room for Senator Trevor MacMillan, to take command of the troublesome National Security portfolio.
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Senior members of the Bruce Golding led Cabinet are feverishly
attempting to close ranks amid reports of a rapid deterioration in the
relationship between the Prime Minister and Mining and Technology
Minister, Derrick Smith.