LUCEA, Hanover — The People’s National Party’s (PNP) Western Hanover Women’s Movement has taken sides against their gender, and for embattled Western Hanover Member of Parliament Ian Hayles, in the inter-party feud.

Hayles had come under fire from PNP supporters over controversial remarks he allegedly made about Lucea Mayor Shernett Haughton during a meeting of PNP workers at the Green Island High School. At the height of the melee, some detractors threatened to withhold their votes for the ruling PNP at the next general election if Hayles remained the candidate.

But on Friday, the female protesters marched in support of Hayles and also issued their threat: No support for the PNP if Hayles is forced out. They also called for the intervention of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller.

The female Comrades, who staged their protest along Fort Charlotte Street in Lucea, defended Hayles, claiming that he was provoked by Haughton.

“We are demanding an apology from the mayor in terms of that meeting that was held at Green Island High School on the 21st of March…” said Patrice Fullerton, a representative of the women’s movement, alleging that the mayor had walked into the meeting and interrupted Hayles while he was on the floor.

She said Hayles had always been respectful to women, including Haughton, whom he supported for mayor.

Hours before the protesters took to the streets, Paula Kerr-Jarrett, the Jamaica Labour Party caretaker for Eastern Hanover, issued a press release in which she also called on the prime minister to intervene in the row.

Kerr-Jarrett noted that the people of Hanover stand to lose the most “from the current feud and allegations of rampant corruption engulfing the Hanover Parish Council”.

“The Hanover Parish Council is in a state of crisis and is simply not representing the best interests of its citizens,” she said in the release, noting that the situation between Hayles and Haughton has only exacerbated the problem.

She also called on Hayles to make “an unreserved and public apology to Haughton for his tirade against her”.

“Hayles’ behaviour amounts to a personal attack on all women, sets a bad example to our children and is a poor reflection on our nation’s political representatives,” the release said.