Minister Hutchinson Apologizes

I wish to apologise to the Prime Minister, my Party, my Cabinet Colleagues, and most importantly the Jamaican people for my errors of judgement in relation to land transactions involving the Holland Estate.

My actions were never designed for personal benefit but arose out of a conviction that strong and decisive action was necessary to preserve the Holland Estate lands (the “Lands”) for small farmers.

There was a real risk that without strong and decisive action the Lands would have been overtaken by squatters and stray animals as has happened in the past.

I therefore acted out of my perception that the proper course, of having the Agro Investment Corporation  handle the transition to small farmers, would have been ineffective.

I was wrong. The course of action I chose cannot be defended. Though my goals were noble, the procedure I used was flawed and the ends do not justify the means.

Throughout my long career in public life, I have acted with probity and adhered to high standards of conduct. I trust that my contrition and the sincerity of my apology for this error is self-evident and that, in the end,  I will be judged by the totality of my contribution to public life.