KINGSTON, Jamaica – Energy and Mining Minister James Robertson yesterday resigned from the Jamaica government, citing “recent events which include several unsubstantiated allegations (that) have taken a heavy toll on my family and me”.
In a brief letter to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Robertson said he had decided to submit his resignation with ‘immediate effect” after holding discussions with his wife, Catherine and his daughters.
While he did not indicate the “unsubstantiated allegations”, Robertson said he was confident “that this matter will be resolved once given the opportunity and due process.
“Under the circumstances, I believe my resignation from the Cabinet is the correct course of action at this time,” he told Golding.
Late on Monday, Robertson confirmed that the United States had revoked the visa given to him and his wife. He said the visas were cancelled last Friday.
“We readily acknowledge that as a sovereign nation it is the prerogative of the US Government to issue and revoke visas,” Robertson said.
“However, no details have been provided as to the basis for the cancellations although we are of the view that this could have resulted from the uncorroborated statements forwarded to various departments of the US Government in support of a failed application for political asylum,” he said.
Robertson’s reference to a failed application for political asylum stemmed from a case involving Ian Johnson, a former activist with the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
On December 17, 2010, Johnson filed a claim in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, making damning allegations against Robertson. However, in January this year, a Florida court threw out the suit.
Robertson said he and his wife have since written to their U.S based attorney in the hope of seeking an audience with the relevant US officials in an effort to ascertain the basis for the cancellations of the visas.
He said all appropriate channels will be utilised and expressed confidence that once given the opportunity and due process, the matter will be resolved.