0
Gordon snubs Ethics Committee, challenges power to recall him
April 21, 2026
Posted 3 hours ago by
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Central, Dennis Gordon, has refused to appear before Parliament’s Ethics Committee at Tuesday’s scheduled meeting, after being summoned to provide clarification on information he previously provided, arguing that the committee lacks the authority to recall him.The development was disclosed during Tuesday’s sitting by committee chair, Marlene Malahoo Forte, who confirmed that a formal letter had been sent to Gordon requesting his attendance.According to Malahoo Forte, the committee clerk sent a letter to Gordon on April 15 inviting him to return before the committee, after concerns were raised about the accuracy of information he had provided during the earlier consideration of his exemption application, which was subsequently approved by the House of Representatives.
Gordon responded on the same day, declining the invitation.Reading from his written response, she told members: “Good day, be advised that I will not attend any such sitting. This is overreaching the committee's mandate. It has no jurisdiction or authority to summon me without an express referral from the full Parliament.”The request for his return, she explained, was intended to allow him an opportunity to clarify matters arising from information that later entered the public domain.The committee had previously agreed that hearing directly from the member was necessary before determining whether any further action was required in relation to the recommendation it made to the House.Gordon’s refusal, however, means that clarification was not provided at Tuesday’s sitting, leaving the matter unresolved for the time being.The committee is now expected to report the development to the House of Representatives and seek guidance on how to proceed, including whether a formal referral should be made to enable it to revisit the matter.
Jamaica Observer
Coverage and analysis from Jamaica. All insights are generated by our AI narrative analysis engine.