NEW FOREST, Manchester — The leadership of the People’s National Party (PNP) is urging Jamaicans to avoid being distracted from the many pressing issues facing the country.

“You see dem strategy though, you see what is going on. Dem a try do anything they can do to distract Jamaica. Dem come with all kind of foolishness, but we are not focusing on that,” declared PNP President Mark Golding on Sunday while addressing the Alligator Pond divisional conference in Manchester Southern.

According to Golding, the governing Jamaica Labour Party is attempting to divert the public’s attention from its mishandling of the country’s resources.

“We have work to do. Jamaica needs an honest Government; it needs a Government who will use the resources for the people — and only for the people,” Golding said.

“I will ensure that when we form the next Government none of that hanky-panky business will [happen]. Anybody who keep up that kind of thing can expect harsh treatment, because we tired of the politics being seen in that way.

“We need our people to have trust and confidence in the leaders of our country, if that is what the people want. The next PNP Government will be a government that uses the resources of the country for the benefit of the people, and nobody else. We will be honest with the people. We will consult with the people. We will listen to the people and we will do right by the people,” added Golding.

He was supported by Senator Peter Bunting who is expected to contest the Manchester Southern constituency for the PNP in the next general election.

“They don’t want you to look at the corruption at every level of this Administration, they want to distract you,” Bunting said as he charged that Jamaica’s reputation in the international community is tattered.

Bunting also pointed to the failue of the Integrity Commission to verify the prime minister’s latest statutory declarations, and its 2022-2023 report that it is investigating six parliamentarians and 28 public officials for illicit enrichment.

“All well-thinking Jamaicans look forward to the investigations of the illicit six announced by the Integrity Commission almost a year ago. All well-thinking Jamaicans look forward to the report of these investigations. It is a taint on the reputation of Jamaica’s Parliament, and we want that dealt with as soon as possible in the interest of all Jamaicans,” added Bunting.

In the meantime Golding told the meeting that he is always prepared to take action to defend the reputation of his wife and himself.

“If dem say certain things and disrespect me and my wife, my empress Sandra, you know seh it nah go so enuh,” declared Golding.

His remarks followed his threat of legal action against Heroy Clarke, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, for comments he allegedly made in a
WhatsApp group of approximately 300 contacts.

Lawyers representing Golding wrote to Clarke giving him until 4:00 pm on Monday to issue a written apology for the comments.

In a letter addressed to Clarke on Friday, Golding, through his attorneys, demanded an apology, saying that the comments made by Clarke could suggest the Opposition leader committed a criminal offence.

The attorneys say Clarke’s statements have disparaged Golding’s “character and reputation” and brought him into “public scandal, odium and contempt”.

Up to press time on Monday the Jamaica Observer was unable to determine if Clarke had responded to the ultimatum.