Foster Allen Supports Golding’s Call for Apology to Retired Clerk of the Parliament

Former permanent secretary in the Ministries of Health and Education, Elaine Foster Allen, says she agrees with Opposition Leader Mark Golding’s call for House Speaker, Juliet Holness, to withdraw her letter of reprimand to former Clerk to the Houses of Parliament, Valrie Curtis.

Mrs. Foster Allen was speaking on Nationwide at Five on Monday.

Ms. Curtis retired last Friday, ending a 29-year career in service to the Houses of Parliament.

In the letter, dated March 22, 2024, Mrs. Holness accused the former clerk of gross dereliction of duty in the handling of reports from the Auditor General’s Department.

She added that Ms. Curtis’ actions threatened to bring the Houses of Parliament into disrepute.

In his call for a withdrawal, Mr. Golding says the letter amounts to an abuse of power.

Mrs. Foster Allen, who was also chairman of the PNP’s Commission on Education, has described the letter from the House Speaker as unusual and unfortunate.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Foster Allen says the House Speaker could have taken a different approach to address any issues she had with Ms. Curtis.

According to Foster-Allen, the Speaker’s actions caused Ms. Curtis to suffer public embarrassment.

Elaine Foster Allen, former permanent secretary in the Ministries of Health and Education.