People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker-candidate for Trelawny Northern Dennis Meadows has “unequivocally” withdrawn comments he made, purportedly endorsing the practice of lottery scamming.
The comments, according to the politician, were made on the final leg of the recently concluded local government campaign trail and were made in response to the “deluge” of funds being “corruptly” spent by his opponents.
“I pledge to exercise greater responsibility moving forward,” said Meadows in response to the mounting outrage relative to his seeming endorsement of scamming activities.
A video making the rounds on social media Wednesday shows the PNP politician stating that he has no issues with “choppas”, a local term used for lotto scammers.
“Let me tell you straight up, and I can speak openly, I have no problem with a man if him want chop, because dem chop us during slavery so nutten nuh wrong if we chop dem back!” declared Meadows to cheers from supporters at a recent political party meeting.
The former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) senator, who switched to the PNP, then encouraged people who are “chopping” that “when yuh bingo and yuh score, use the money wisely; set up yuh self, open a business, mek sure mommy look good, mek sure yuh babymother look good, but don’t tek the money and use Hennessy wash car.”
He said such practices of wasting the illicit funds were “foolishness”.
In the wake of growing public outrage over the statements, Meadows issued a statement on Wednesday in which he said that his utterances “do not reflect my true stance on criminal activities, particularly lottery scamming.”
Added Meadows: “I unequivocally withdraw those remarks and want to make it clear that I condemn any form of fraud and criminal behaviour generally.”
He went on to say that the comments were a “thoughtless and unwise response to the deluge of money that was being corruptly spent in the Trelawny campaign by our opponents.”
Continuing, Meadows said: “I am fully committed to upholding the law and collaborating with law enforcement authorities to prevent crime in all its manifestations.”
He apologised to Jamaicans, the PNP leadership, headed by its President Mark Golding, and PNP supporters in Trelawny Northern for his inappropriate comments.
The utterances, however, have been condemned by scores of persons on social media and also from the political directorate, including from Meadow’s own PNP party.
In a statement, the PNP said its General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell “strongly rebukes” Meadow’s remarks.
“The party does not condone nor support any endorsement or tolerance of criminal activities, including lottery scams or any form of fraud,” said the Opposition political party.
Under the leadership of Golding, the PNP said it is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and adherence to the rule of law.
“Dennis Meadows’ unfortunate comments do not align with the principles and values of the PNP, and the party distances itself from any suggestion that it would tolerate or endorse illegal activities,” the party said.
While expressing disappointment at the comments, Campbell has taken note of Meadow’s withdrawal of the comments and his “full-throated apology for same that has now been publicly issued”.
Meanwhile, Generation 2000 (G2K), the young professional arm of the JLP, has strongly condemned what it said was “the endorsement of fraudulent activities” by Meadows who is seeking to represent the people of Trelawny Northern.
“We are demanding his immediate removal, as this does not represent leadership at the highest level and is utterly reckless and disgraceful,” G2K said on X, formerly Twitter.
In a follow-up statement, President of G2K, Shayne Kerr, called on Golding to act decisively on the matter regarding Meadow’s remarks.
“It is imperative to demonstrate to the Jamaican people that this is not the direction his party intends to go,” said Kerr.
G2K is also calling on law enforcement bodies to investigate Meadows’ words of “encouragement” to those who “chop”, arguing that such urgings should not be taken lightly.
