I was wrong, says embattled minister - Hutchinson apologises for errors of judgement

J.C. Hutchinson, the minister who had oversight for agriculture and has since been transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister amid a wave of controversy over the so-called Holland land deal, yesterday declared that his actions were not in line with government policy.

“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,” Hutchinson said.

In a statement, Hutchinson issued an apology saying that his 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 for small farmers.

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,” he said.

“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,” he stated.