More Calls For Councillors’ To Resign

The Caucus of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), in the St. James Parish Council, has added its voice to the calls for the resignation of the two PNP councillors, who were arrested on Wednesday by the Lottery Scam Taskforce.

In a statement, the Caucus says it views with grave concern, the arrest and alleged involvement of Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay and Councillor for the Granville Division, Michael Troupe and Councillor for the Salt Spring Division, Sylvan Reid, in the lottery scam.

According to the Caucus, this affair has sullied the name of the St. James Parish Council and represents a source of adverse publicity and embarrassment for the people of Montego Bay.

JLP Caucus Spokesman and Councillor for the Montego Bay North Division, Leroy Williams, says the Minority Caucus believes that the nature of the allegations warrants the immediate resignation of both gentlemen.

The Caucus says the PNP's leadership must exert its influence on the Councillors to resign, to minimize the negative impact on Montego Bay and to demonstrate its will to break the link between politics and criminality.

Meanwhile, another civic group, the Jamaica Civil Society Coalition (JCSC), has expressed alarm at the detention of elected representatives of the Parish Council Of St. James, based on allegations of involvement in the lottery scam.

In addition, the coalition notes with concern, the charge of Illegal Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, laid against Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Michael Troupe.

The JCSC says given the gravity of the allegations and charges, it is calling on Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, to immediately require the councillors to resign from their positions.

The Coalition’s Coordinator, Carol Narcisse says the JCSC recognises the constitutional presumption of innocence of every accused person.

However, she says the bar for holding public office must be set to the highest standard of probity and integrity.