Isat Buchanan at Centre of War of Words Between PNP, JLP

In what is shaping up to be an escalating war of words over the confirmation of Isat Buchanan as caretaker for East Portland, the opposition People’s National Party, PNP, has hit back at the governing Jamaica Labour Party, JLP.

The PNP on Tuesday named Buchanan as its representative in the constituency.

More in this report from Mahiri Stewart.

Isat Buchanan, an attorney-at-law, has served time behind bars in the United States, after twice being convicted on drug charges.

The JLP says his selection indicates that the PNP has no moral authority to speak on crime, corruption, or ethics.

But in a statement to the media earlier on Thursday, the PNP reiterated its support for Buchanan, and accused the JLP of hypocrisy and political opportunism on the issue of rehabilitation.

The PNP says it acknowledges that individuals can rehabilitate and return to serve their communities.

It says Isat Buchanan’s past does not define him; rather, his commitment to positive change exemplifies the principles of redemption that the party advocates.

On the point of the alleged hypocrisy, the PNP says the JLP that has a history of embracing individuals with criminal convictions, including former ministers who have been imprisoned for corruption.

The party named the late Cleveland Lewis and the late J.A.G. Smith as examples.

The PNP says the JLP’s attempts to tarnish Buchanan’s reputation is in stark contrast to its own history.

It says the inconsistency raises questions about the JLP’s sincerity in its support for rehabilitation and expungement programmes.