Isat Buchanan
The People's National Party (PNP) says Isat Buchanan has indicated his intention to step down as Chairman of the Party's Human Rights Commission following remarks he made about Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn on a YouTube programme.
Mr. Buchanan told PNP President Mark Golding that he believes his resignation is in the party's best interest, as the remarks in question do not reflect the values of the party.
The PNP says it has accepted his resignation and expressed gratitude to Mr. Buchanan for his service to the Commission and for his contributions.
The Jamaica Labour Party Women's Caucus, led by Olivia Grange, had earlier called for the PNP president to act immediately in removing Mr. Buchanan from the role following what it called his 'vile' comments directed toward the DPP.
Ms. Grange said Mr. Buchanan, under the guise of quoting his client, Vybz Kartel, used misogynistic, crude, nasty, sexist, low and disgraceful language in reference to Ms. Llewellyn.
The conversation on the online programme surrounded the controversy brought on by the approach taken to amend the age of retirement of the DPP.
Ms. Grange said the JLP Women's Caucus is mindful not to appear to politicise the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or the office holder, but the posture of Mr. Buchanan should be condemned.
She expressed disappointment that an attorney and chairman of a body within the PNP could bring himself to utter such insolent and vile comments in reference to a woman.
Ms. Grange added that Mr. Golding must take responsibility for the harassment and bullying that the DPP has faced.
She invited all women in leadership, including PNP Chairman Dr. Angela Brown Burke and the PNP Women's Movement President Patricia Duncan Sutherland, to join her in condemning what she terms Mr. Buchanan's vile and inappropriate rhetoric against another woman in leadership.
The chair of the JLP Women's Caucus also recommended that the disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council immediately investigate Mr. Buchanan for breach of the canons of the profession.
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