JLP blasts Golding over leaked PNP audio

The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has accused Opposition Leader Mark Golding of failing to denounce controversial comments allegedly made by senior People's National Party (PNP) members in a leaked audio recording, branding his response "shameful" and "a disgrace".

The leaked recording reportedly features voices discussing possible ways to discredit Major General Antony Anderson in his role as head of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA), while acknowledging what they described as his outstanding record in public service.

Addressing the PNP's National Executive Council (NEC) on Sunday, Golding sought to distance the party from the conversations, insisting they did not take place in any official PNP forum and did not involve any officer of the party.

He also maintained that the PNP has no official NEC or executive WhatsApp group.

"This was a WhatsApp group formed by individuals within the party and the views expressed were their personal views. So those recordings do not represent the official recordings of the PNP, or any policy of the PNP," Golding said.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, the JLP argued that Golding spent time explaining the circumstances surrounding the leaked recording but failed to condemn the statements allegedly made by members of the PNP executive.

"Golding's comments show that he is not suited for leadership," the governing party said.

The JLP also disputed Golding's assertions, claiming he could not deny that the statements were made in a WhatsApp group titled "Executive Members", which it said carried the PNP's logo and included the majority of the party's executive committee members.

According to the JLP, Golding's remarks were "misleading and a disgrace."

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-2506.