KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former People’s National Party (PNP) member of Parliament Andre Hylton has resigned as constituency chairman of St Andrew Eastern amid speculations of a challenge from one of his councillors, Venesha Phillips.

Phillips, councillor of the August Town Division, was Hylton’s campaign manager in the February 25 General Election.

Hylton lost the seat by 150 votes to the governing Jamaica Labour Party’s Fayval Williams.

The St Andrew businessman’s decision to resign has angered a number of Comrades, who believe that he is being “bullied out of the party”.

However, others have said that Hylton was among those calling for renewal following the PNP’s defeat at the national polls and as such should stand up to Phillips’ challenge.

“Don’t call for renewal and back down when you are being challenged; challenges are a part of the renewal process,” one Comrade told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Hylton’s resignation takes effect on July 31.

More information later.