Meadows in hot water over choppa endorsement
People’s National Party (PNP) standard bearer for North Trelawny, Dennis Meadows, is under pressure to resign after using a political platform to endorse lottery scamming.
“I can openly say, I have no problem with a man if him wahh chop, cause them chop us during slavery, so nothing wrong if we chop them back,” Meadows said.
Lotto scamming, despite being illegal, is viewed by many as a form of reparation for slavery.
Shortly after the video of Meadows endorsement of criminality went viral, the PNP issued a media release condemning the remarks. At the same time, Meadows said he regretted the comments. He said that the remarks do not reflect his stance on criminal activities, particularly lottery scamming.
“I unequivocally withdraw those remarks and want to make it clear that I condemn any form of fraud and criminal behaviour generally,” said Meadows, who once led Citizens’ Action for Principles and Integrity, a group concerned with issues of human rights, public governance, integrity and accountability.
“It was a thoughtless and unwise response to the deluge of money that was being corruptly spent in the Trelawny campaign by our opponents.
I am fully committed to upholding the law and collaborating with law enforcement authorities to prevent crime in all its manifestations. I sincerely apologise to the Jamaican people, Comrade Leader Mark Golding, the PNP leadership, and our supporters in North Trelawny for the offence caused by my inappropriate comments,”
Meadows said.
Meanwhile, PNP General Secretary,
Dr Dayton Campbell, said the party does not condone nor support any endorsement or tolerance of criminal activities, including lottery scams or any form of fraud.
“The PNP, under the leadership
of Mark Golding, is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and adherence to the rule of law,” Campbell said.