Polish Opposition Leader and People’s National Party President Mark Golding has announced that Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Central Dennis Gordon is to step aside from the Public Accounts Committee and the Shadow Cabinet with immediate effect.

Mr. Gordon is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jacden Limited.

In a statement this afternoon, Mr. Golding notes the matter related to Jacden has emerged in the public domain within the context of the many serious findings of maladministration at UHWI in the Auditor General’s report.

Mr. Golding notes that the decision relating to Mr. Gordon is pending the completion of ongoing investigations and to allow the party’s Integrity Commission to look into the matter closely and provide its recommendations. He says the situation will then be reviewed.

According to the PNP President, based on the facts made available to him, he has seen nothing to suggest that Jacden has broken any law.

He adds that Mr. Gordon has, as is appropriate, recused himself from the Public Accounts Committee hearings considering this matter.

The Opposition Leader says he believes it is essential that the party consistently demonstrates its commitment to high standards of probity in public affairs and due respect for the spirit of the Leadership Code of Conduct that PNP MPs and Senators have all signed.

He said in coming to this decision for Mr. Gordon to step aside from PAC and the Shadow Cabinet, he wishes to reiterate that he is not aware of anything which suggests Mr. Gordon or Jacden has breached any law, adding that Jacden’s dialysis machines are now providing life-saving services to Jamaica’s renal patients at a lower cost than otherwise available in the marketplace.

Mr. Golding adds that it is the nature of public life that the party must take a stance demonstrating adherence to rigorous standards of accountability, especially given that Jamaica is suffering from an environment where such standards are sadly lacking.