Labourites prepared to take to the streets in defence of PM – McKenzie

Local Government Minister and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Deputy Leader, Desmond McKenzie, has declared that the party’s supporters are prepared to take to the streets, if necessary, to defend Prime Minister Andrew Holness from what he (McKenzie) contended is an "orchestrated" attack by the parliamentary Opposition.

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP), led by party President Mark Golding, has called for Holness' resignation after the tabling of the Integrity Commission (IC) investigation report into Holness' statutory declarations.

Despite the IC not recommending any criminal charges against Holness, including relative to the question of illicit enrichment, the report was referred by the commission to the Financial Investigations Division (FID) for further probing, with the FID saying on Thursday that it will be analysing the contents of the report.

In a fiery address at a spot meeting in North East St Ann's Exchange Division on Thursday, McKenzie accused the PNP of sensationalising matters involving the prime minister, citing false news about a raid on Holness' residence.

"Labourites, let me tell you, what is being orchestrated by the PNP against Dr Andrew Holness is an attempt to turn the country away from the goodness, the work of Dr Holness," he claimed.

A defiant McKenzie said the party would not stand for what he suggested was happening, and would instead use all appropriate measures to protect Holness' image.

"But let me say something to you (labourites) tonight; we are not as a party going to allow the PNP and its leadership to construct and to deliver anything that is going to destroy the image of Dr Andrew Holness, prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party.

"And labourites, a saying this tonight; if it means that labourites must take to the streets of this country in defence of Andrew Holness, then we are prepared to go out there and defend!" McKenzie declared.

Meanwhile, the JLP's candidate for the September 30 by-election in North East St Ann, Matthew Samuda, opined that the country now has "the best leader since Independence".

"Labourites... we support Andrew Michael Holness!" he said.

Both the JLP's Lower House (Members of Parliament) and Senate caucuses have collectively thrown their support behind Holness amid the calls from the PNP and some members of the public for him to resign.