MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Chaos erupted in the Manchester Municipal Corporation’s monthly meeting on Thursday as councillors from both sides of the political aisle argued over political endorsements ahead of the next parliamentary election.

The chaos started when minority leader and councillor Omar Miller (Jamaica Labour Party, Craighead division) attempted to announce the unanimous support of JLP aspirant for Manchester North East Audrey Marks in the council meeting.

“Two Sundays ago at our workers meeting at Holmwood, north east Manchester Senator Audrey Marks was unanimously,” Miller said before being stopped by Mandeville Mayor Donovan Mitchell.

“That is not an announcement for the council,” Mitchell chimed in.

This led to shouting across the floor with councillors expressing their disagreement.

The three councillors affiliated with the JLP questioned how Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield division) was allowed to make remarks suggesting an endorsement of the PNP’s campaign in Manchester.

Mario Mitchell while posing questions to the police present at the meeting asked about plans to deal with political tension.

“… Because Manchester is going to go back to where it ought to be and where it is going, is it that there is tension politically from what the police are picking up,? he asked earlier in the meeting.

However, Mayor Mitchell defended his stance in stopping Miller.

“The announcement of a candidate for a particular geographic area that is outside of the scope of a division cannot be done in this council meeting. This is not a council meeting and if councillor Mario Mitchell did do that, it must have been an oversight by me,” Mayor Mitchell said.

His response stirred up further chaos among the councillors.

“This is my last meeting of council,” Mayor Mitchell, who is also the PNP’s aspirant for Manchester Central, told councillors.

Miller accused Mayor Mitchell of being biased. However, the mayor ignored the comment and allowed councillor Mario Mitchell to speak.

“For clarity what I did was ask questions of the JCF Inspector (Berthlyn Lloyd) about the political tensions. I did not make a political statement. I hear their (JLP members) concerns and I know they are worried,” Mario Mitchell, said while drawing the ire of Miller in accusing the Bellefield councillor of being dishonest.

“Behave like big people, nuh man. Whaap’m please behave like big people. People are watching online and I will not allow the meeting to descend into all of this,” an annoyed Mayor Mitchell said.