KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) is strongly condemning what it describes as “political witch-hunts” against qualified Jamaicans who offer themselves for public service, following the objection by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to an Integrity Commission (IC) appointment.

The JLP-led government last week registered an objection to the appointment of Roneiph Lawrence as acting director of corruption prosecution at the IC on the basis that he is reportedly a long-time friend of PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell.

However, in a release Sunday, the PNP claimed the objection was based solely on a past social association, describing it as reckless, and a vulgar display of political intimidation.

“In the present case, the individual was considered fit to serve by the relevant commissions that are responsible for such appointments. There is no record of misconduct or bias, yet his appointment is being attacked because someone who attended his wedding is affiliated with the PNP. This is political victimisation, plain and simple. In contrast, the father of a recently-appointed IC commissioner was once a JLP politician, but the Leader of the Opposition did not stoop to opposing the proposed appointment on that basis,” the PNP contended in a release on Sunday.

It added that such incidents only served to discourage decent and capable Jamaicans from participating in public life while slamming the government for castigating the jobseeker “without a shred of evidence.”

“Jamaica is a country of 2.7 million people where social and professional associations with persons who are active in national politics are inevitable. Those commonplace connections are innocuous and are not, in and of themselves, indicators of political bias, and do not disqualify anyone from public service,” the party said

The PNP noted that the prime minister’s wife serves as Speaker of the House while presiding over matters related to the IC, describing it as glaring hypocrisy.

It added that the message being sent by the JLP is dangerous and undemocratic: mere association with someone from an opposing party can impair your career advancement and cost you your opportunity to serve.

“The PNP rejects the toxic and retaliatory politics being practiced by the JLP. We will continue to defend the right of qualified Jamaicans to serve their country without fear, intimidation or political interference,” it said.