There was nothing special about Dirk Harrison’s tenure

Yesterday, August 29, 2019 the Gleaner newspaper reported that former Contractor General Dirk Harrison had indicated in a letter he was leaving the integrity commission , 6 months ahead of the date his contract would have come to an end.

Of note, the report said he was “retiring” but did not say if its from the public sector. I have heard other report suggest he has “resigned” from the Integrity Commission . I am therefore left confused, did Dirk Harrison resign from the Integrity Commission or has retired from the Pubic Sector.

What is even more interesting, is that Dirk Harrison letter at the time of the newspaper report had not yet been received by the Integrity Commission (not sure if it was delivered and the method used for that delivery), which brings into question not only Dirk’s motive but also his credibility , integrity and character.

One would expect that when one is resigning, that information is communicated to the people who employ you before you go public, that is considered to correct thing to do, but no sir not Dirk, he does not have to follow the established protocols he just do as he see fits.

I am still amazed that he has not been publicly chided for these actions, which once again raises the issue of standards in this country.

Instead I hear the NIA say its ” regrettable” that Dirk left 6 months ahead of when he was supposed to have left, while the PNP has said the corruption fight has been dealt a severe blow, are these folks for real.

Dirk spent 5 years as Contractor General and prosecuted zero corruption cases. He served 18 months as Director of Prosecution under the Integrity Commission then publicly blasted them for zero prosecutions during this time. Wait a minute … who the Director of Prosecution .

I have no beef with Dirk expect that I found him to be full of himself and unwilling to take advice believing he knew more than anyone else.

We need a Director of Prosecution on the Integrity Commission who will spend time doing a great job of investigating, collecting solid evidence and bring cases that can be successfully prosecuted.

Taking 1 year to investigate then writing a 250 page report of mostly fluff is simply not going to get the corrupt in the society behind bars.

Let’s get people who can actually get the job done vs talking about how the job should be done.

There are many waiting to assume the role Dirk has as we speak, let’s replace him as quickly as possible

Dr Peter Phillips is not ready for real leadership.

Over the last 12 months a number of young comrades have taken to the media space and use words that we found to be reprehensible and does not reflect where Jamaica is going.

The political ombudsman had to intervene on each occasion and demanded public apology from these young comrades ( old wine bottles)

The PNP President has often said the current Prime Minister is weak despite him having sanctioned every minister under his watch that has done something wrong.

Dr Peter Phillips on each of these four occasions have refused to publicly admonish his young charge and appears to actually lend support to their brutish behaviour.

In the latest case Dr Peter Phillips own son charged that ” Nuh laboirte bwoy or gyal can come roun yahso, dem betta run weh from yahso” . While the country was in total shock by these words played to the background of convicted murder Vybz Kartel music, the PNP President said the words were simply misinterpreted by the public because they were spoken in patio.

Dr Peter Phillips appears to be saying the following

1. The term ” Gyal” is not demeaning to women and is a term meant to say “ladies”, it was simply misinterpreted. If as a female a man look at you and says ” Yow gyal”, how would you interpret that comment, I hope you don’t misinterpret it .What is striking however is the POWERFUL PNP WOMEN’S MOVEMENT appears to have no problem with the term gyal ,so I will therefore call the movement the PNP GYAL MOVEMENT, they should not have a problem with that either.
2. The term ” bwoy” when used as it was , is not demeaning to men across the country, so when the police says to a big man ” Hey bwoy a weh you a do yah so” it should not be misconstrued as being disrespectful, we should simply not misinterpret what he means.
3. The violent lyrics of convicted murder Vybz Kartel in the background and between sentences should also not be misinterpreted as it was, as that is simply a part of the Jamaica culture and nothing to be alarm about.
4. “Run weh from yah so” should also not be misinterpreted as ” you don’t belong here or we will get you out of here, or only comrades are allowed here ie PNP Garrison”, no sir, this is how it should be represented according to Dr Peter Phillips. The phrases ” run weh from yah so” actually means ” Given the strong PNP representation, it will be difficult for the JLP to set up a foothold in this area”

Basil Waite ” nasty nyga” in reference to members of the labour party was not found to be offensive to the PNP president either and we therefore can assume he is comfortable with those comments.

Both men issued non apologies stating ” If you were offended, then I apologize” , I take that to mean the “apology:” is only valid if you were offended. Amazingly the public appears to accepted these apologies, I am simply flabbergasted by the public’s ability to be strident when folks in the JLP side err, but are willing to accept manure from the PNP with glee.

Civil society appears not to have problem with the demeaning terms referenced by young comrade Phillips and Waite(a bit) and their non apology, all of which speaks volumes on the level of hypocrisy that exist in the country.

Dr Peter Phillips has therefore failed on all four occasion to demonstrate the kind of leadership we would like to see and instead chose to support brutish behaviour from those he leads.

Clearly Dr Peter Phillips has failed to provide leadership to young comrades and provides clear evidence that despite the rampant corruption we have seen in the PNP he would NOT be prepared to take action against any such member who is engaged in wrong doing .

Dr Phillips is clearly a failed “leader”.