Golding suggests Clarke got carried away with "Massa Mark" comment

 

Opposition Leader Mark Golding has suggested that he holds no grudge against Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke for his "Massa Mark" comment during a sitting of the House of Representatives last Thursday.

 

At the same time, Mr. Golding says the comment was unparliamentary.

 

Dr. Clarke made the reference in response to Mr. Golding's offensive comment directed towards members and supporters of the Jamaica Labour Party.

 

The Opposition Leader apologised for his comment while addressing the People's National Party National Executive Council meeting on Sunday.

 

Mr. Golding went further, saying he believed Mr. Clarke was caught up in the heat of the moment. 

 

"Mi know how politics go enuh. Nigel Clarke a mi fren to enuh. Him a mi fren, mi nah tell nuh lie. Nigel Clarke is mi fren but him kinda naive to the politics and him get himself in a likkle problem because probably he thought he was being clever but him mash certain corn weh people in Jamaica nuh really like, because the truth [is] we believe in tolerance and inclusion," he suggested. 

 

Mr. Golding also dismissed claims that he has ties to slave owners. 

 

He said the comment by Dr. Clarke could hurt the JLP in the long run.

 

"We don't need to go down certain road, and if they think they going get political advantage from going down certain road, they going find seh a lot of people going be turned off by it and upset. So it's a gift that going to keep on giving. So, if you want to go down dah road deh enuh, it's up to you, but we don't stand for that," he insisted.   

 

The Opposition Leader and PNP president said a meeting has been arranged with Speaker Marisa Dalrymple Philibert in relation to the events in the House of Representatives last week which resulted in a walk out by Opposition members.

 

Speaking with the media after the NEC meeting on Sunday, Mr. Golding said Mrs Dalrymple has not been balanced in her management of the lower house.

 

He said he will not be present at the meeting set to address the concerns but noted that four other party members will be in attendance.