KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) said it is considering court action to bring a final resolution to the “contentious issues” that continue to plague the St Thomas Municipal Corporation.

The move comes on the heels of a meeting Thursday where the party said Councillor Marsha Francis sought to have the election of a deputy mayor considered, but Mayor Michael Hue refused to consider her “legitimate motion and along with the other JLP councillors and a compliant CEO, walked out of the meeting while Francis was on her feet”.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, has since condemned the actions of the Opposition, which he claimed they attempted after the meeting was adjourned.

Read: McKenzie condemns behaviour of PNP councillors in St Thomas.

The party in a release today said what transpired amounts to a serious blot on the nation’s democracy and a continuation of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) disgraceful behaviour in the corporation.

It explained that the “sordid episode started with JLP candidate Dean Jones deceiving the people of the parish when he unlawfully accepted nomination for the Local Government elections knowing he was not eligible.”

It said that the situation was condoned by the local government minister, the mayor, the deputy mayor and the other JLP councillors, adding that it was further compounded after the recent court ruling which unseated Jones, in addition to the mayor arrogantly refusing to consider resolutions brought by the PNP in a special meeting and abruptly adjourning the meeting.

“This disgraceful action by the mayor occurred although Councillor Francis pointed out that the Local Governance Act required that a deputy mayor be elected as soon as there is a vacancy in the position. That position has been vacant now for two weeks,” the party argued.

The PNP said these actions have brought the council into disrepute and it is unfortunate that the minister has not seen it fit to address these glaring unlawful issues.

“The JLP’s continued flouting of the law has left the PNP with no option but to consider seeking the intervention of the courts in regaining order and stability to the municipal body.”