Embattled attorney-at-law and former chairman of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Human Rights Commission, Isat Buchanan, has issued an apology and has recanted the disparaging remarks aimed at the island’s top prosecutor.

In the statement issued today, the attorney emphasised that advocating for freedom of expression should not come at the expense of demonstrating exemplary decorum, especially in public channels. Buchanan was captured in a viral video on social media quoting inappropriate lyrics from the song, The Menace by incarcerated dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, in reference to Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn.

The full statement reads as follows:

“I have considered the statement I made on a YouTube channel I was co-hosting extensively. Though I am a believer in free speech, I do recognise, now more than before, the importance of preserving public civility and mutual respect in how we engage with each other as a society. My comments and use of the song reference are indeed unfortunate, and for that, I unequivocally apologise. I specifically wish to indicate to Ms. Llewelyn that I deeply regret this and I am truly sorry. Advocating for freedom of speech and expression does not stand mutually exclusive with demonstrating exemplary decorum throughout public channels.”

Buchanan faced widespread backlash from the online Jamaican community and advocacy groups, including the Jamaica Labour Party Women’s Caucus, who called for his removal as chairman of the People’s National Party’s (PNP) Human Rights Commission. The People’s National Party’s Women’s Movement has since condemned the remarks.