JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) Deputy General Secretary Senator Charles Sinclair is describing as “hypocritical, unacceptable, and disgraceful” the failure of Opposition leader and People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding to answer enquiries from several stakeholders about whether he is a British citizen.

Sinclair says a direct answer from Golding is necessary because Jamaica’s aspiring head of Government being a citizen of another territory would “certainly raise serious questions of loyalty and allegiance regardless of whether that territory is a member of the Commonwealth”.

“The concern would apply to the constitutional role of the leader of the Opposition. Given that the Government of Jamaica is attempting to move Jamaica towards republic status, the leader of the Opposition is clearly conflicted and his motive for blocking the move now open to significant question,” Sinclair commented Sunday.

The JLP deputy general secretary says information emerging that Golding only obtained a Jamaican passport while in his mid-40s and several years after he became a senator in the Jamaican Parliament is concerning.

According to Sinclair, it would be grossly insincere and hypocritical of Golding, if he is a British citizen, [to only] a few days ago be making grand statements, such as that it would be inappropriate for Jamaica “to have one foot in and one foot out of King Charles’ yard”.

He says Golding’s hypocrisy is further illuminated by his “hollow call for full decolonisation” while refusing to declare whether he’s a British citizen.

He said Golding’s response Saturday did not provide a direct answer to the question.

Golding, for his part, in responding to claims that he holds a British passport and maintains dual citizenship, described the accusations as politically motivated.

In a statement Saturday, responding to the accusations, Golding said he is a born Jamaican who holds a Jamaican passport.

“I’ve never hidden the fact that my father, who came to Jamaica from the United Kingdom (UK), had got me a British passport when I was a young child. From before first serving in government, I travel on my Jamaican passport when I go abroad. Like other Jamaicans, I apply for visas from countries, such as the United States and UK, to go there,” said Golding.

Questions about Golding’s citizenship arose last week Tuesday when the Opposition leader, whose father was British, said he holds the view that Jamaicans who hold citizenship for non-Commonwealth countries should be allowed to seek political office.

Said Sinclair, “The PNP president should immediately indicate whether he is prepared to do right by the Jamaican people by renouncing his British citizenship which his spinning and equivocation have compelled many to now conclude that he conveniently retains.”