OPM says it does not employ Courtney Hume

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) says Courtney Hume is not employed to the OPM either in Kingston or in Montego Bay and does not have any authority to give instructions on behalf of the OPM.


In a release Friday afternoon the OPM noted  it had no knowledge of or any part in the arrangements for the civic ceremony in Montego Bay for the swearing of the Mayor and councillors.

The release further noted that attempts to implicate the OPM in the controversial removal of the colour green from the backdrop are unfortunate.

The OPM, through The Protocol Department and Chancery, has responsibility for the National Symbols of Jamaica, which includes the National Flag of Jamaica.
In light of the recent controversy, the OPM  issued guidelines for the use for the National Flag of Jamaica.
Some are outlined below

• The national flag takes precedence over all other flags on Jamaican soil, including flags of other sovereign nations, except that the personal standards of members of the Royal Family and of the Governor-General are always given precedence over the national flag.

       The national flag should never be smaller than any other flag flown at the same location. When the national flag is flown with other national flags, each flag should have the same width and be flown at the same height. If any of the flags is square, or nearly square, it may have a slightly larger width (up to 125%) so that its overall area is similar to the other flags. The Jamaican national flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.

• The national flag should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff (this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or nation, over another).

• The national flag should not be displayed in a position inferior to any other flag.

• No other flag should be placed above or to the left of the national flag, (as viewed by an observer).

• In a parade of flags, as the host country, the Jamaican flag enters last. All other flags are placed in alphabetic order.

  

• The national flag should be flown on all government-owned ships, defence craft and lighthouses. A representation of the national flag should be displayed on all government-owned aircraft, rail and motor vehicles

• The national flag should not be allowed to touch the ground.

• The national flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

• The national flag should never be fastened, flown, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.

• A torn, faded or otherwise damaged flag should be removed and replaced with a new flag. The damaged flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning privately. 

Source: http://rjrnewsonline.com/news/local/opm-says-it-does-not-employ-courtney-hume