Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke has refused to apologize for referring to Opposition Leader Mark Golding, as “Massa Mark”.

He instead spent most of his response to the firestorm of criticism, attempting to justify his use of the term.

Dr. Clarke addressed the matter during today’s sitting of parliament.

He acknowledged that Mr. Golding had apologized for his offensive reference to Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters.

The minister then sought to downplay the impact of the “Massa Mark” reference, and its racial inference.

He cited use of the term in other scenarios, where a person’s race / colour / ethnicity, was not in question.

Dr. Clarke also sought to explain that his use of the term Massa, was in relation to power and control.