Ian Hayles (centre), Hanover Western Member of Parliament, is in discussion with his PNP colleagues, Colin Fagan (left) and Kern Spencer, both MPs, at yesterday's press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, to announce spokespersons for the party. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer

Hanover Western People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament, Ian Hayles, is claiming the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) had offered him a position in Government and $40 million to cross the floor in Parliament, an assertion swiftly denied yesterday by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

"They have been calling my house offering me millions. One person offered me $40 million," Hayles told The Gleaner, yesterday.

Mr. Hayles, a former vice-president of the JLP's Generation 2000 (G2K), who won his seat in the September 3 general election on a PNP ticket, was on Tuesday confronted by two government senators who reportedly hurled expletives at him.

Being disrespectful

He was accused of being disrespectful to the Prime Minister by senators Dwight Nelson and Aundré Franklin, after he failed to extend the hand of courtesy to Mr. Golding following the taking of the oath of office in Gordon House. Mr. Hayles has since apologised for his conduct.

However, Mr. Golding told The Gleaner yesterday that there was no truth to the claim that the JLP offered money or a position in government to Mr. Hayles.

"We do not consider that Mr. Hayle's position is consonant with the kind of Jamaica we want to build," Mr. Golding said in a terse response.

Mr. Hayles insisted, however, that he was approached. "The strange thing is (that), for the past two weeks, I have been their best friend. They been calling me on the phone; they been sending different emissaries to me, offering me money, offering me positions in government and I turned all of that down, so I understand the anger yesterday (Thursday, September 27)."

Quick intervention

Meanwhile, at a press conference yesterday, to announce PNP spokespersons, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller said it was her quick intervention that cut short what could have been an explosive situation that was unfolding in the lobby outside the Chamber.

"It was brought to my attention what was happening and I was the one who moved in and prevented what could have been very ugly and, when I went there, what I heard was not very pleasant to my ear as a woman," Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She commended Mr. Hayles for the "decorum and the discipline" he displayed, while he was under attack.

"I am not going to tolerate that kind of behaviour against any member of the Opposition," she warned.

Commenting on the incident, Prime Minister Golding described it as unfortunate.

"If what I read in the paper (The Gleaner) is correct, it's unfortunate and I think we need to rise above that and move on," he told reporters yesterday morning, following a Jamaica Employers' Federation CEO breakfast meeting at The Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston.

He added, "I think you can see the kind of spirit that I am trying to build in Parliament and I think it is going."