KINGSTON, Jamaica — Gender Minister Olivia Grange is chastising Opposition Leader and People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding for his comments towards Member of Parliament (MP) for St Thomas East, Dr Michelle Charles, describing her as having “no class”.

Golding’s comments followed remarks Dr Charles made towards former Member of Parliament Dr Fenton Ferguson at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Morant Bay Urban Centre.

In her brief remarks, Charles noted that Ferguson and several other MPs tried to achieve such a milestone, however, only Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party were able to fulfil the task.

Golding, in response, stated, “She has no class. I asked Dr Fenton Ferguson to represent me at the so-called opening of that centre. I chose him because of the fact that he has served so long as the leader of the constituency, winning it six times, and somebody who has been a minister of government, my colleague, and I thought someone of the stature to represent me at that occasion, and when I saw how she disrespected him, it was totally out of order. Totally uncalled for and unbecoming of somebody who calls herself a Member of Parliament. An absolute disgrace. All she has done is stir up the hornet’s nest, and she is going to get the sting of her life when election day comes.”

However, Grange, in a statement, said it is unfortunate that the PNP president, who has already spoken about his ambition to govern Jamaica with “topanaris” around him, has reintroduced class to the political platform and suggested “that a strong and accomplished woman such as Dr Charles is lacking”.

“Dr Charles invited Dr Fenton Ferguson, who is the former Member of Parliament for St Thomas East, to the platform for the opening of the Urban Centre in St Thomas. There was cordial interaction between both stakeholders in the parish. For Mr Golding to suggest that Dr Charles lacks class due to the interaction is very unfortunate. Gone are the days that people of Golding’s ilk should arrogate unto themselves the power to decide who is deserving to be regarded as having class and who should not be so designated,” she said.

Grange is calling for the PNP president to apologise and retract his comments about Dr Charles, and said he should also be more careful in his speech.

“Golding’s comments about Dr Charles deserving to be ‘badly beaten’ and ‘in for a sting’ are also unfortunate and unbecoming, though he eventually contextualised it as a reference to the electoral process. At a time when gender-based violence is a matter of serious concern, Golding should be more careful in his use of language,” Grange said.