Tension mounts amidst calls for May Pen Mayor's resignation

Tension is mounting in the Clarendon Parish Council amid calls for Mayor of May Pen, Scean Barnswell, to resign over the Spalding Market affair. Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors have now served notice that they will table a no-confidence motion against Mr. Barnswell if he remains in the post.

Dirk Harrison, Contractor-General, has referred Mayor Barnswell to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for allegedly misleading his office during the probe into the construction and rental of shops at the Spalding Market. Mayor Barnswell is awaiting advice from his attorney.

Winston Maragh, Minority Leader in the Clarendon Parish Council, told RJR News that the JLP councillors will not back down from their call for the Mayor to resign. The councillors have also issued a deadline.

“Well, if he doesn’t resign by the next council meeting, we definitely will be moving a resolution, a no confidence motion, because he is no longer fit or suitable to lead the Clarendon Parish Council,” said Maragh.

The JLP councillors are contemplating further action if the Mayor Barnswell refuses to heed calls to resign. In a statement on Monday, the councillors said they will find it difficult to attend meetings that the mayor chairs or function effectively under his leadership.

They insisted that Mr. Barnswell immediately vacate the post.