KINGSTON, Jamaica— The fiery Everald Warmington, the Member of Parliament (MP) for St Catherine South West, has promised to limit public funds and resources which will be made available to the People’s National Party’s (PNP) councillor-elect in the Old Harbour South Division, Dr Kurt Waul.

“Lloyd (Grant) got 1,668 votes, enough to win, more than he got in the last election, but these people, these Labourites let him down but me in charge ya so,” Warmington said to enthusiastic shouts of shower and cheers.

Grant is the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) candidate in Old Harbour South.

“I am the Minister of Works and the Member of Parliament and no PNP councillor going to spend my money,” he vowed to even more vociferous cheers.

Warmington made the remarks while speaking with Labourites in the constituency, following Monday’s local government elections after Dr Waul defeated Lloyd Grant. He was criticising Labourites who allegedly sold their votes to Dr Waul, spoiling the JLP’s perfect record in the constituency.

The JLP retained three of the four divisions in St Catherine South West on Monday.

In the wake of Warmington’s comments, the People’s National Party is now alleging that the MP’s latest public outburst is an embarrassment to the Government and has questioned Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ seeming reluctance to rein him in.

The party in a release on Wednesday demanded that Holness immediately oust “offensive MP Everald Warmington” from the Cabinet.

“Warmington’s recent threat to withhold state funds from PNP councillors is a new low in his history of gutter politics and tribalism,” the release from the PNP said.

The PNP said they were alarmed by Warmington’s undemocratic plan to manipulate government funding, bypassing the people’s will.

“This unacceptable behaviour contradicts the principles of fair governance and insults taxpayers. This is a crucial test for the PM’s (prime minister) commitment to accountability – failure to remove Warmington will be seen as a breach of trust,” the release continued.

The PNP demanded a full withdrawal of Warmington’s threats.

“He must commit to not interfering in the democratic process. The PNP calls for oversight to prevent any actions against the people’s will,” the release said.

This is not Warmington’s first brush with controversy.

During a tour of Portland Eastern on May 3, last year Warmington was seen angrily berating councillor candidate for the Fellowship division, Colin Bell.

Warmington reportedly told Bell that he will not be conducting a tour with councillor-caretakers, regardless of their party affiliation.

But Bell has insisted no one in the PNP will cower to  Warmington.

“Warmington, nobody over yah suh nuh ‘fraid a yuh!” he declared, adding: “You nuh have nuh manners. You outta order.”

In the past, the National Integrity Action has upbraided Warmington’s behaviour and said his outbursts highlight the need for measures to be taken in constitutional reform for an MP to be recalled for atrocious behaviour.

In August 2015, Warmington had a run-in with journalists who were covering the opposition JLP’s caucus that month.

Warmington, who verbally abused journalists as photographers tried to take his picture, had attributed his actions to the effects of medication.
The MP who also pushed the camera of a photojournalist from the Gleaner Company had said he regreted his actions.

“I was in a very groggy state, because the machine causes a lot of pain … I apologise to her and to you all, most sincerely… I don’t usually apologise for anything, but I believe I need to. Where she is concerned – I don’t give interviews to the press. But I’m prepared to make up for it with an interview and photograph anytime she wants. I apologise most sincerely,” he said at the time.

In January 2016, two PNP groups started an online petition for the suspension of Warmington for calling government MP Lisa Hanna a jezebel.