PNP Women’s Movement calls for Heroy Clarke to be removed as Deputy Speaker of the House
Kingston, Jamaica – June 11, 2024 – The People’s National Party’s Women’s Movement notes with deep disappointment the false, scurrilous and libelous comments made by Deputy Speaker Heroy Clarke with regard to the the Leader of the Opposition Mr Mark Golding and his wife Mrs. Sandra Golding.
These defamatory statements, which were posted by Mr. Clarke in a large WhatsApp group, attacked the personal life of Mr. and Mrs. Golding in a most vulgar and deplorable manner.
The President of the Women’s Movement Patricia Duncan Sutherland said, “When persons offer themselves for leadership in the current environment, there is great sacrifice from their families. For the holder of the esteemed office of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives to engage in an attack like this on another parliamentarian is totally unacceptable. We must expect more and demand more of our politicians; we must raise the bar!”
The Deputy Speaker is expected to be impartial and command the respect of fellow parliamentarians as he guides the business of the country’s legislature from time to time. We are therefore appalled that Mr. Clarke has failed to publicly apologise for his damaging actions, despite being given the opportunity to do so by the Leader of the Opposition.
This situation is untenable, as there can no longer be a reasonable expectation that Mr Clarke can carry out his duties with the decorum required of the office. We are calling on PM Holness to relieve him of his duties as Deputy Speaker.
We once again urge all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, to engage in respectful and constructive discourse, focusing on policies and actions that benefit the people of Jamaica.
