Brown Burke under fire over tweet blaming PM for Elaine’s 100m loss
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Newly elected People’s National Party (PNP) standard bearer for St Andrew South Western, Angela Brown Burke, is this evening on the receiving end of social media users’ ire following her post which suggested that Prime Minister Andrew Holness is to blame for what they said was Elaine Thompson’s loss in the women’s 100 metres at the 16th IAAF World Championships in London.
Jamaicans at home and abroad, who are clearly distraught about Thompson’s loss, which followed on the heels of yesterday’s third place finish by sprint superstar Usain Bolt, were clearly not having the PNP vice president’s utterances.
“Andrew dem seh ah you cause it,” she said on Twitter. The tweet was deleted soon after the backlash started and she subsequently tweeted: “Apologies. I have now restricted access [to] my twitter account. Did not capture”.
One user had chided the former Kingston mayor, asking: “How does politics get into our championships? Silly lady”.
“The graciousness & humility of our athletes is an example of the best. Your tweet @brownburke example of vulgar partisan politics & worst of Jamaica”, another said.
“I can’t with Jamaican politicians on social media. They need to come off and keep their tackiness between themselves,” said one user who was corrected by another saying “PNP politicians” not “Jamaican”.
Soon after deleting the tweet, many users screenshot the post with one saying “Dem rush her and she take it down but here is the screenshot. I think a moment this distasteful should be preserved for the by election”.
Many have since called for her to apologise because simply deleting the tweet is not enough.
“Madam, I believe you should apologise for that irresponsible and silly tweet. You have disappointed and offended many. #DoRight.”
However another said in response “Can keep it. She didn’t think it worth something to say sorry the sed (same) time she deleted, kinda see the thought process. Let her slink away”.
“Her tweet was tacky and uncalled for time and place,” said another.
American Tori Bowie won the world title this afternoon while Thompson struggled home in fifth place.
The 25-year-old had started well but by halfway she had been swallowed up and was unable to find an extra gear as she had done most of the season.
Shanica Blair
