PNP files complaint with political ombudsman against PM Holness

 

The People's National Party (PNP) has submitted a formal complaint to the political ombudsman against Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness. 

 

According to the PNP, Dr. Holness breached the political code of conduct during the Jamaica Labour Party's West Central St. James conference and Sunday. At the conference, Dr. Holness called for JLP supporters to stage a counter protest in response to the PNP. 

 

Dr. Holness referred to the PNP's planned protest against the appointment of Dennis Chung to head to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) as "manufactured rage" and "crisis that doesn't exist". He also labelled the action as hypocrisy and 'badmindism'. 

 

In a statement Monday afternoon, the PNP said following the Prime Minister's statements, as reported by a media house, a counter protest was subsequently held near the site of its demonstration. 

 

The PNP said this action placed citizens at risk and further validated concerns about political provocation and public disorder. 

 

Meanwhile, speaking at the PNP's protest on Monday, Opposition Leader Mark Golding said the Prime Minister's call for a counter protest was inflammatory and reckless.

 

"It is nothing to do with badmind. it is good mind at play, good mind supporting good governance, good mind fighting against corruption, good mind standing against conflict of interest, good mind standing against cronyism and nepotism. And for the Prime MInister to call upon his supporters to protest today against badmind was a new low in the governance of this country, and reflects the desperation that he feels because he knows that the people of Jamaica have had enough of this government, under his leadership, and they want change and we will deliver change," he declared. 

 

But Jamaica Labour Party spokesperson Senator Abka Fitz-Henley has described the PNP's complaint to the political ombudsman as baseless.

 

"It lacks merit and has no basis. The Prime Minister was clear in his use of language that he's encouraging every single Jamaican who wishes this country well, to stand up for it is a right and exercise their constitutional right to take a stand. The PNP, which loves to talk about the Constitution, should appreciate this fact," Mr. Fitz-Henley suggested. 

 

He said the action is "yet another indicator of the PNP's lack of a message and therefore they are raising matters to distract the people of Jamaica from the good work of the administration of Prime Minister Andrew Holness".