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CEO Allen Grilled By Media
posted (April 30, 2014)

Today the media grilled Peter Allen, the CEO In the Ministry of Health for 40 minutes. Â He was at an event to honour the management and staff of Matron Roberts health clinic, but the media had a lot more to ask him about. Â That’s because the Public Service Union is accusing Allen of defaming chief Pharmacist Sharon Anderson. Â He wrote in an email that she was quote, holding the system to ransom while she was on sick leave in early to mid-April. Â This is after the Procurement Manager at the Central Medical Stores office sent out an email alleging that Anderson was on strike and quote, “refusing to sign supply orders, which could endanger the health of patients.â€￾  The PSU claims that CEO Allen supported that statement in his email. The PSU demanded an apology, and today Allen told the media why he couldn’t give one:

Jules Vasquez
"Sir, did you make aspirsions against Mrs. Sharon Anderson, saying that she is holding the system hostage by not cooperating, apparently, when she is on sick leave?"

Dr. Peter Allen
"Well, let me say this, in my opinion, no I did not, but since -"

Jules Vasquez
"Either you did or didn't."

Dr. Peter Allen
"You see the thing is that once lawyers become involved, and I gather from the press release that the intent is to sue for libel, once that happens, then we're talking about tax payers money because we can't risk litigation against the Government, which could cost the taxpayers' money. So, we immediately refer the matters to the office of the Solicitor General, in the Ministry of the Attorney General."

Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Were you aware that Sharon Anderson was on sick leave?"

Dr. Peter Allen
"Actually, I was in Jamaica. I wasn't aware that anybody was on sick leave."

Mike Rudon
"And sir, when you received that email from whoever sent out that email, you reacted out of a gut instinct without checking to see if your Chief Pharmacist was at work or not? Because the email allegedly said that she was on strike and refusing to sign entries, and there was a response quoted from you. Did you check to see if it was in fact true?"

Dr. Peter Allen
"Well as I say, and I am sorry, but on the advice of the Office of the Solicitor-General, anything on that issue you are welcome to check with the Office of the Solicitor-General."

Alindy Marisol Amaya - News Director, KREM News
"There will be no apology forthcoming to Mrs. Anderson?"

Dr. Peter Allen
"Well again, and I am sorry, but on the advice of the Office of the Solicitor-General, anything on regard, you must please address it with that Office." 

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