Embattled Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Everald Warmington has resigned from the Cabinet after vowing to limit public funds and resources made available to the People’s National Party’s (PNP) councillor-elect in the Old Harbour South division.

Prime Minster Andrew Holness made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, noting that Warmington submitted his resignation following a meeting earlier in the day.

“I thanked him for his service in that capacity and Minister Warmington expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve,” Holness said in a release from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Warmington made the controversial remarks while speaking with Labourites in his St Catherine South West constituency, following Monday’s local government elections in which the PNP’s Dr Kurt Waul defeated the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s Lloyd Grant to win the Old Harbour South division.

WATCH: Warmington promises to limit funds to PNP councillor elect, Opposition calls for his removal from cabinet

He was criticising Labourites who he alleged 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.

“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.

“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.

Late Wednesday evening Warmington issued a statement withdrawing his comments, which were widely condemned by several bodies including the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Jamaica for Justice and the Opposition People’s National Party which demanded his removal from Cabinet.

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.