Simpson Miller

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is standing by her comments that the dispute involving the West Indies batsman Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has dragged on for far too long.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference at Jamaica House, Simpson Miller, who was criticised by the WICB for her position, said Gayle was not being treated properly, and as leader of the country she had to make her voice heard.

"Everything I said, I stand by it. Sabina Park, Chris Gayle, I stand by it. Justice delayed is justice denied."

"Gayle is a Jamaican, and if they can treat Chris, a former captain, the way they are treating him, and believe that Jamaica should not feel anyway about it, then something is wrong with them, and not us in Jamaica, nor the prime minister of Jamaica."

Simpson Miller, while making a presentation at the Jamaica Cricket Association called on the WICB to deal with the dispute in the best interest of West Indies cricket.

"Cricket is too important to the people of Jamaica, and the West Indies for this to be left down the wicket."

The WICB had said it did not believe Simpson Miller had the benefit of the full information pertaining to the matters on which she spoke.

In its statement, the WICB also implored Simpson Miller to use her good office for Gayle to respond favourably in an effort to put the issue in the past.

"Had the honourable prime minister been briefed she would have been informed that Mr Chris Gayle has been written to by the WICB, clearly outlining the full details of what is required of him. The WICB is awaiting a response from Mr Gayle," said the WICB.

The release went on to add: "The WICB implores the prime minister to use her good office to urge Mr Gayle to respond favourably in an effort to put this issue in the past.

"The WICB does not believe that the prime minister is suggesting that Mr Gayle be returned to the West Indies team without withdrawing his comments."

The board argued that reinstating Gayle would be tantamount to a Jamaican prime minister returning an individual to the Cabinet with no accountability, after that individual had lambasted the head of Government.

Simpson Miller, however, dismissed the WICB as rude, and said that come next month she intends to take up the issue with CARICOM at the next heads of government meeting in Suriname.

"I don't know if in any other country they could respond to a prime minister the way they have responded to me," said Simpson Miller.

"I think the are very rude, and if anything they owe me, and Jamaica, an apology."