OFFICIALS of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) are increasing their pressure on People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding to step down as the controversy over his British citizenship continues.

But the PNP remains adamant that Golding’s citizenship issue is “a vulgar attempt by the JLP to distract from its flagrant politicisation of the constitutional reform process”.

In the latest salvo aimed at Golding, first-term JLP Member of Parliament for St Catherine South Eastern Robert Miller charged that the Opposition leader was disloyal to Jamaica and should step down.

According to Miller, the PNP is pursuing tactics to distract from Golding’s grave disloyalty and hesitancy to fully commit to Jamaica.

“I note a barrage of media releases from the Opposition PNP which have sought to raise issues which are of absolutely no relevance to the core matter at hand. In a time when Jamaica is on the verge of creating its own head of state by becoming a republic, the ‘British leader’ of the Jamaican Opposition sees no ethical conflict in encouraging everyone else to give up the British Monarchy while he retains his privileges and allegiance to the very monarchy he is encouraging us to leave,” charged Miller.

He argued that the issue dogging Golding is further complicated by the last-minute withdrawal of consensus by the Opposition from the Constitutional Reform Committee report.

Miller said it is noteworthy that the report explicitly recommends that persons with split allegiances, whether through Commonwealth citizenship or foreign citizenship, should not sit in the Jamaican Parliament.

He charged that this recommendation would certainly, if accepted, disqualify Golding and is a perfect example of how conflicting interests could open up the Opposition leader’s decision to legitimate questions about his motives.

Miller added that the disturbing issue is Golding’s reluctance to relinquish his British citizenship while hiding behind the notion that it is permissible in law.

“These are the real issues — and no amount distraction with peripheral red herrings and gutter politics can cure this fundamental breach,” said Miller as he charged that the position of Golding remains “untenable and incurable, regardless of what happens from here on in”.

“Speaking as a young Jamaican, I must admit that I am quite disturbed and offended that Mark Golding would have sought to lead my country while retaining citizenship and allegiance to another country. In my view, he should come clean with the public about his motives for blocking Jamaica becoming a republic, apologise, and immediately step down,” added Miller whose comments came after the youth arm of the PNP slammed the Holness Administration for its pressure on Golding.

President of the PNP Youth Organisation Senator Gabriela Morris charged that, “The prime minister and his surrogates’ attempt to manufacture controversy around Mark Golding’s citizenship is a reprehensible and desperate ploy to divert attention from the failures of the Holness Administration.

“PM Holness’s stance is opportunistic and disingenuous, particularly given his prior support for dual citizens serving in Parliament.”

According to Morris, “Golding’s citizenship is well within the bounds of our current constitution, which permits Commonwealth citizens to serve in Parliament. This sudden fixation on Mr Golding’s citizenship is a transparent attempt to divert scrutiny from the prime minister’s own questionable actions, including his voluntary allegiance to the British monarchy, evidenced by his position on the Privy Council, and the unresolved issues surrounding his statutory declarations.

“The reports of members of his own Cabinet being dual citizens further highlight the hypocrisy of his stance. It is ironic for the prime minister to cast stones at a concrete structure while residing in a glass house,” she said.