KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Matthew Samuda, who also serves as minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, says he is advanced in the process of renouncing his British citizenship which he acquired at birth.

He is calling for Opposition Leader Mark Golding to take a similar course of action.

Samuda made the disclosure in a statement to the media on Thursday afternoon.

According to Samuda, he voluntarily made the decision after listening to recent public discourse around the issue of dual citizenship.

“I voluntarily took the decision to retain Jamaican citizenship only and renounce British citizenship after having carefully listened to recent public discourse concerning the issue of dual citizenship,” Samuda said.

“I had begun the process of renunciation prior to today by completing relevant forms. In response to public enquiries, I wish to make my decision to renounce clear,” he continued.

Samuda’s actions follow public discussions over whether aspiring leaders of Jamaica should have dual citizenship and mounting pressure from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) for Golding to either renounce his British citizenship or step down as president of the People’s National Party (PNP).

Prime Minister and JLP leader Andrew Holness in a recent interview on the television programme CVM at Sunrise revealed that he is of the view that the position of any individual who aspires to lead Jamaica but remains a dual citizen is both untenable and incurable.

READ: PM Holness says dual citizenship as a leader is untenable, incurable

However, Golding has since held his ground, insisting that he is compliant with the constitution and laws of Jamaica.

READ: Golding stands ground in dual citizenship row

The Constitution of Jamaica does not forbid Jamaicans who are citizens of another Commonwealth country from sitting in Parliament.