Dr. Ronald Robinson Resigns As Jnr Minister And Senator

Dr. Ronald Robinson has tendered his resignation as both a member of the Senate and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, with immediate effect.
His letter of resignation, which was addressed to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, was received by Jamaica House, on Thursday (May 20).
Dr. Robinson, who was appointed to the Senate and the Ministry in September, 2007, gave as his reason his wife’s medical problem, but also acknowledged contact with U.S. law firm, Manatt, Phelps and Phillips which “could be perceived as inappropriate”, accepted responsibility and apologised for his actions.
The full text of Dr. Robinson’s letter of resignation read:
Dear Prime Minister,
Firstly, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to have served my country and the people of Jamaica. Certainly there is no greater honour and I thank you.
As you are aware, my family and I have been having a most difficult time from a medical perspective for the last two and a half years. This involved my wife having two traumatic medical incidents and two major surgical operations, the last one which occurred in May 18, 2010. It is clear that with the pressures of being Minister of State over the last two and a half years, it has taken its toll and I have not been able to be as supportive as I need to be to her. As indicated to you earlier Prime Minister, the time had come to evaluate my own position in moving forward and I felt that I would be in a better position to make a decision after the surgery.
With regards to the current topical situation of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, I acknowledge that my contact with the firm could be perceived as inappropriate and for that I accept responsibility and should not have met with them and for this I apologize. Note however that my only contact with the firm was twice between November 19 and 20, 2009, which was a full month after the website postings.
After careful thought and in discussion with my wife, I have come to the decision that I have no other choice but to place all of my energy and focus on our current medical situation, as that is what is needed now. I know that my country needs me however my wife needs me more at this time. Also morally, responsibility comes with actions and I know the just and upright thing to do at this time.