MONTEGO BAY, St James — Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has expressed concern over what he says is “the character assassination of public servants who have given stellar service to the country” by members of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

Speaking at a JLP St James West Central constituency meeting at Montego Bay Community Centre on Sunday night, Holness blasted the PNP for what he described as “badmindism”.

“I have seen several instances where people who have given stellar public service have been hauled into the political arena and their character assassinated, their integrity trampled, and you can only conclude that they do so because they have bad mind,” charged Holness.

He argued that because the Opposition is unable to effectively challenge the record of his Administration, it has shifted its focus from policy to personal attacks.

“If you can’t tackle achievements, and you can’t tackle the fundamental fact that the Government is fair, if you can’t tackle policy, then what do you start to tackle? You start to attack people, and we have seen a dangerous trend emerging where people who are giving stellar public service, people who have achieved great things for this country — they are being hauled into the political arena,” said Holness.

Using a boxing analogy to describe his resilience in the face of what he described as ongoing personal attacks, Holness declared that while he continues to absorb the blows to his character, a decisive response is on the horizon.

“There is one thing to attack me, like I said: My constitution strong. I rope-a-dope [a boxing tactic, made popular by Muhammad Ali, of pretending to be trapped against the ropes before unleashing powerful punches]. Yeah, I take the lick and I move and I go again, but believe me that one day that knockout punch is coming,” warned Holness.

“So you keep your guard up, you protect yourself, and you move, and you keep moving,” added Holness to screams of support from the scores of green-clad supporters in the venue for the annual conference of the constituency represented by two-term Member of Parliament Marlene Malahoo Forte.

In her address, Malahoo Forte expressed confidence that when the votes are counted following the next general election she will be returned to serve a third term.

“Hear me now, St James West Central, this yah seat yah must be returned. Me nah fret and me no worry, because me know how to do the work, and I have a team with me,” Malahoo Forte said to loud cheers.