PNP calls for transparency on Parliament staff departures

The People's National Party (PNP) has called for an independent investigation and an urgent House Committee meeting following the resignation of Christopher Cowan, deputy clerk to the Houses of Parliament.

According to the PNP, in a release on Friday, Cowan's resignation is the latest in a "troubling pattern of senior departures that threatens the effective functioning of Jamaica's Parliament."

The party said Opposition Leader Mark Golding on September 29 wrote to Jacqueline Mendez, chief personnel officer of the Services Commissions, formally requesting an urgent investigation and independent assessment of the circumstances of the resignation and the wider concerns which have been raised concerning the working environment within the Houses of Parliament. The letter was copied to the governor general, the speaker and the president of the Senate.

It added that, on the same day, Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell wrote to Floyd Green, leader of government business and chairman of the House Committee, urging the Committee to convene without delay, receive a staffing update and determine what action is needed.

"The Parliament belongs to the people of Jamaica, and its administrative machinery must be stable, professional and capable of supporting Members on both sides of the House," said Paulwell. "When experienced officers leave one after another, institutional knowledge leaves with them. We must address this now, before it becomes a broader disruption of parliamentary operations."

The PNP maintains that these losses strain remaining staff, weaken succession planning and put the independence of the parliamentary service at risk.

The party said it awaits a favourable response from both authorities.