Young: Maxie is “a human being”

ACTING Attorney General Stuart Young yesterday reminded the population that, “at the end of the day, Minister Maxie Cuffie is a human being.” Young gave this reminder at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s. Young said he and other Government members were happy to see photos of Cuffie posted online, showing his ongoing recuperation. Cuffie suffered a stroke last September. The photos were the first taken of him in public for eight months.

Young described some public comments about Cuffie, including some posted on social media, as distasteful and disturbing. Instead of people attacking Cuffie and using his illness to score political points, Young urged citizens, “find that humanity in yourselves and understand that at the end of the day, we are dealing with another human.”

He asked citizens how would they feel if they or one of their relatives was recovering from illness, only for people to be “putting out there that you are dead.”

Saying Cuffie and his family had gone through a medical episode he would not wish on anyone, Young said he has communicated with Cuffie since his illness. He said it was difficult to predict how any medical episode would unfold. While some people unfairly criticised Government for money spent to help Cuffie with his medical treatment, Young revealed, “Members of the government have written personal cheques to help Maxie Cuffie and his family get through this.”

He said Government has nothing to hide and is not giving any consideration about his future as La Horquetta/Talparo MP.