The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is insisting that its embattled leader, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has done no wrong in the controversy surrounding the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips affair.

The Observer took to the streets of St Ann yesterday and asked people in the parish how they felt about the party's handling of the issue and got these responses.

Victoria Bryan - Administrative assistant

I honestly believed the JLP would have handled the situation better. They didn't communicate effectively with the people and a lot of questions were being asked and I don't think they moved swiftly enough to clear the air on those issues.

Leon Bailey - Taxi operator

The JLP could have communicated better with the people. They were a little harsh in some of their comments, but understandably, it was to defend their leader who is under severe pressure. There is no need for the PM to resign over the issue. There must be somebody who can stand up and defend the people. Let the United States bring the evidence and let justice take its course.

Patrick - Construction worker

All of this is just Portia and the PNP trying to get back at Bruce. The PNP had scandal after scandal and they lied about so many things. I heard people calling 'Dudus' a criminal, but how can you be a criminal if you have never been convicted of a crime? The people need to give Bruce a chance to continue running the country.

Gary - Freelance tennis pro

They never handled the situation properly; they should have told the nation exactly what had transpired when they were first asked about the issue in Parliament. How they dealt with it is not good for the country, it has messed up our credibility and a lot of people have lost faith in the party and its leader.

Michael Davis - Businessman

This issue with Bruce is very delicate and any individual who finds himself in such a position should ask themselves, what would you do. Would you give in to dictators of the world or would you take a stance to ensure that the evidence against any individual to be extradited is credible? We need to put politics aside and look at the reality and see the full situation. If him give up the man, a problem, and if him don't give him up, a problem, but I'm appealing to all Jamaicans, don't fire a single shot over the issue.

Tiffunny Wallace - Office clerk

He lied to the people and I think he should have resigned as prime minister, despite all what has been said by his party, because technically he told the country a lie. The party could have handled the situation better. They should have been honest and just told the truth about what happened without going around in circles.

Derrick Mighty - Tailor

They handled the entire situation shabbily. They said the PNP mash up the country for 18 years, but it seems it's the same thing they are doing and they need to be forthright with the country and stop beating around the bush.

D Taylor - Office clerk

The party was a bit irresponsible with their handling of the whole situation. They could have done better. I think they put all their confidence in the PM and were not thinking about the interest of the people. It was the party first and country after.