Young Jamaica challenges Golding over declaration as St Ann council probes alleged clash

Young Jamaica is pressing Opposition Leader and PNP President Mark Golding to explain why his 2024 statutory declaration has not yet been certified by the Integrity Commission, while a separate controversy at the St Ann Municipal Corporation has drawn fresh scrutiny of local government conduct.

The JLP youth arm, represented by executive spokesperson Alex Mo, said Golding’s earlier reference to internal changes at the commission was not enough to account for the delay. Golding told CVM that the commission had prepared a summary of his declaration, sent it to him for review, and that he had approved and returned it for publication in the Gazette.

Mo rejected that response, saying Young Jamaica wanted to see the document formally gazetted before accepting that the matter was settled. He also argued that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness’ own certification dispute was different because aspects of that matter are before the courts.

The programme also examined a circulated video said to involve Kim Brown Lawrence, councillor for the Brown’s Town division, and an employee at the St Ann Municipal Corporation. Ian Bell, councillor for the Beecher Town division, said he did not witness the incident and could only speak to what he saw in the video. He said councillors had not been formally briefed on the corporation’s response.

CVM reported that a preliminary report had been submitted to the Services Commission and the mayor. Bell said he had not received such a report, despite being minority leader, and suggested the matter may be raised at the next general council sitting.

Brown Lawrence, in a video posted to Facebook, did not directly confirm a physical altercation. She said the corporation was handling a staff matter and urged people not to follow rumours.