KINGSTON, Jamaica — After being pepper-sprayed by lawmen while carrying out his duties early Tuesday, Kingston Western Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie says the use of the spray was unnecessary.

“What took place this morning is very unfortunate, and it should never have happened because there was no need for that level of lethal, I want to call it lethal, because for almost 25 minutes I lost my vision,” he told Observer Online.

Speaking while exiting Parliament, McKenzie noted that it would not affect his efforts in “maintaining the good relationship that we enjoy [with] the security forces.”

However, commenting on his social media page, McKenzie said: “As the Member of Parliament for West Kingston, I remain committed to serving my constituents and supporting the work of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. However, I believe the use of pepper spray against me while carrying out my duties was unnecessary.”

The MP had been alongside residents of his constituency who had gathered in Tivoli Gardens in the wake of an alleged police shooting.

READ: MP Desmond McKenzie reportedly pepper-sprayed in downtown Kingston

Noting that he had been doing his duty as an MP and hearing the residents’ concerns, McKenzie told the Observer:  “Everybody knows my position when it comes to dealing with the question of criminal elements, and if something went wrong, it is the right of the police to execute their responsibilities in a professional way”.

He added, “But when people complain about a man being shot from before 6:00 am and after 6:00 o’clock, the police still have him on the ground, not taking him to the hospital.  As a member of parliament, I could not and I will never allow things like that to pass without intervening.”

He urged his constituents to remain peaceful and let justice take its course.

(Video: Garfield Robinson)