PM breaks silence on Mario Deane

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has broken her silence on the death of Mario Deane, declaring that her administration "has no intention of allowing the rights of the Jamaican people to be trampled on, even when they run afoul of the law."

The Prime Minister, speaking at a meeting of her governing People's National Party in North West St. Ann on Sunday night, announced that she had requested an update today on the probe into the death of 31 year old Mario Deane, who died in hospital after being beaten at the Barnett Street Police Lock-up.

A report on the matter is expected at Monday's meeting of  the Cabinet.

Responding to public criticisms of her prior silence on the matter, Mrs. Simpson Miller said she had declined to speak publicly on the incident because it is being investigated.

Notwithstanding that position, she declared on Sunday night that "the Jamaican people have rights, even when they are in the custody of the police."
 
She pointed out as well that two Government Ministers (responsible for Justice and National Security) had made preliminary statements on the incident.