MS. Joan Ward-Mars has misinformed herself as a result of her poor interpretation of Minister Priya Manickchand’s comprehensive explanation of the Government’s contribution to Legal Aid in Guyana, in the face of distorted accounts. The minister’s presentation on this matter made reference to Ms. Emily Dodson, the individual from whom the distortion emanated in the first place. However, in so doing, Ms. Manickchand stayed with the facts.

Is this a case where Ms. Mars’ emotional sensitivity has prevented her from making a fair and objective assessment of the matter or one where she is trying to divert attention from the fact that Ms. Dodson deceived the public with her skewed account of the Government’s contribution to legal aid?

There is no evidence to suggest that the motive of the minister’s clarification was aimed at character assassination. If there were to be some insistence that character assassination was intended then I would have to concede it was by Ms. Dodson’s own doing that she has put a dent to her character. May I advise Ms. Mars to amend her charge to ‘character suicide’ with Ms. Dodson as the accused.