KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has issued an ultimatum to Howard Chamberlain, president of the Jamaica Labour Party’s youth arm, Young Jamaica, demanding an apology for statements that Dr Shane Alexis, the PNP’s candidate in the St Mary South Eastern by-election, received a scholarship from the Government of Jamaica to study in Cuba.

On Friday Young Jamaica issued a press release questioning the circumstances surrounding Alexis’ study in Cuba, ostensibly through a bilateral programme designed for Jamaicans only.

However the PNP refuted the claim and on Saturday said that attorneys representing Dr Alexis are demanding that Young Jamaica “issue and publish a full and complete retraction and public apology to Dr Alexis, in terms to be approved by him”.

According to the PNP, failure on the part of Young Jamaica to respond by Tuesday on next week will see Alexis’ attorney pursuing legal redress in the matter.

“Our instructions are that Dr Alexis did not obtain a scholarship to study in Cuba under the Cuba/Jamaica bilateral agreement or any other scholarship programme available to Jamaican citizens nor did he receive any kind of support from the Government of Jamaica in relation to such studies,” the PNP said in its statement.

Dr Alexis, although living in Jamaica, has admitted that he is Canadian.