MANCHESTER, Jamaica — There were tense moments during the handing over of a two-bedroom house built under the New Social Housing Programme in Grove Mount near Mile Gully on Friday, after a disagreement between two political representatives over who should be allowed at the function.

The disagreement between representatives namely Manchester North West Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips and his opponent Damion Young unfolded in front of Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Phillips, a member of the Opposition People’s National Party, was annoyed at the presence of Jamaica Labour Party supporters led by Young at the handing over ceremony.

Phillips told the audience that he took issue with the move by Young to have JLP supporters crowding the event.

During the ribbon cutting part of the ceremony, Young attempted to be a part of a photo op. Phillips again took issue and was joined by Mile Gully Councillor Rohan Kennedy in walking away from behind the ribbon before Young left the photo op.

When asked why they took issue with each other both representatives pointed to their reasoning for being present at the handing over ceremony.

Young accused Phillips of being trivial.

“From my interpretation the Member of Parliament seems intimidated, seems petty as if he cannot stand my presence at a mere ribbon cutting that the JLP Government has really been working so hard… we find it curious that he is intimidated by me and my supporters. We are only here wishing well the recipient of the wonderful donation from the people of Jamaica,” he said.

However, Phillips said Young is not an elected official and shouldn’t have been at the ceremony.

“There is no issue. He has no constitutional right to be a part of what we are doing here. He has brought politics to the handing over of a house to a beneficiary who is in need. He cannot be a part of this process. He is not a political representative and he should know, [there’s] time and place for everything,” he said.

The tension then continued at 14 Street in Greenvale where another housing unit was handed over.

At that point Young stood to the side of the photo op.

— Kasey Williams