Leadership dispute at Clarendon Municipal Corporation expected to intensify with PNP intending to also seek legal redress

October 16, 2026

The leadership dispute at the Clarendon Municipal Corporation is expected to intensify, with the People’s National Party (PNP) indicating that it also intends to seek legal redress.

This comes after the Supreme Court granted an injunction to sitting Mayor Joel Williams and Deputy Mayor Clive Mundle, who are members of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The Court issued the order this morning to temporarily restrain the Corporation from proceeding with specified agenda items at a special meeting that would have paved the way for the Mayor and his Deputy to be replaced.

The injunction, granted by Justice Tracey-Ann Johnson, will remain in force until November 13, unless the court orders otherwise.

With the temporary restrictions in place, this morning’s special meeting was adjourned five minutes after it commenced.

The situation has concerned the PNP, which described the developments as profoundly anti-democratic.

Speaking with IRIE FM News this afternoon, minority leader in the Corporation, Scean Barnswell, said that while PNP Councillors respect the Court’s decision, they remain militant.

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Following Thursday’s announcement and subsequent confirmation that a JLP Councillor was switching allegiance to the PNP, the Party maintains that it now commands a 12 -10 majority at the Corporation.

It has also argued that leadership of the Municipal body should reflect that shift in support.

Barnswell also highlighted issues with the injunction order, noting that it was obtained without notice to the PNP Councillors, and without them being represented in court.

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He said it is anticipated that when the PNP lawyers bring the matter of the breaches to the Court, the judge will permit them to continue the process of electing a PNP majority-supported mayor and deputy mayor.