JLP wants Phillips, Brown Burke sanctioned after ‘violent conduct’ in Parliament

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is calling for the People’s National Party's Mikael Phillips and Dr Angela Brown Burke to be sanctioned for what it described as crude, unbecoming and violent conduct in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, the JLP claimed Phillips aggressively charged in the direction of Kingston Western Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie after McKenzie told him not to disrespect House Speaker Juliet Holness.

The statement further claimed that Phillips shouted at Holness and called her wicked, prompting McKenzie to tell him to do better and to consider whether he would wish for his mother to be spoken to in such a disrespectful fashion.

It added that Phillips attempted to physically attack McKenzie and has since admitted uttering expletives in Parliament.

The statement also accused Phillips of making a false claim about what McKenzie said to him.

JLP Deputy General Secretary Charles Sinclair says “Phillips’ so-called apology is not good enough and the North West Manchester MP should face strong sanctions for his violent conduct, which was caught on videotape.”

Sinclair added that Phillips also owes Holness, McKenzie, the Parliament and the people of Jamaica an unequivocal apology which is not riddled with excuses and false statements.

He pointed to videos emerging online of the altercation, noting that is shows the PNP Chairman and  St Andrew South West Member of Parliament Angela Brown Burke imposing herself in the parliamentary aisle, in violation of parliamentary convention as the speaker departed the chamber.

Sinclair described as startling Burke’s alleged physical assault of Holness while shouting “coward”, saying it represents a new low for the Jamaican Parliament.

According to Sinclair, Brown Burke should be strongly sanctioned for her inappropriate, crude and violent conduct.

He said this is not the first time Brown Burke has shown utter disrespect to the speaker, but the physical contact represents a dangerous escalation.

Sinclair says the JLP stands with Holness and called on all well-thinking Jamaicans to denounce the behaviour of the PNP representatives in Parliament, adding that the consistently unbecoming conduct is clearly condoned by the party leadership.