KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information, Robert Morgan has defended Juliet Holness over comments made by the Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew pointing to “unsafe” living situations of supporters of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

Holness declared that “everywhere in my constituency that is unsafe to live, Comrades (PNP supporters) live there. Yuh hear what mi seh? Everywhere in my constituency that it is not safe to live, Comrades live there”.

Continuing, Holness, who is the wife of Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: “Anywhere where river going to wash away (people), Comrades live there; Anywhere that is a garbage dump, Comrades live there and is not Labour party put them there”.

Holness, who made the comments while appearing as guest speaker at the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s Norbrook divisional meeting at the Constant Spring Primary School in St Andrew, has since come under heavy criticism over the comments.

However, at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Morgan argued that the point Holness had been trying to make was about the importance of good leadership, which he said is reflected in what he suggested was the JLP’s better track record in housing development compared to the PNP. See Morgan’s comments in the video below.