Warmington’s many tirades: A timeline
Throughout his years of public service, Member of Parliament for St Catherine South West Everald Warmington has earned a reputation for his verbal outbursts.
Following the loss of a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) seat in St Catherine in Monday’s local government election, he seemed determined to live up to that reputation when, in his capacity as Cabinet minister with responsibility for works, he vowed to limit public funds and resources made available to the Opposition People’s National Party’s (PNP) councillor-elect in the Old Harbour South division.
The comments received widespread condemnation and Warmington was forced to resign on Thursday.
READ: Warmington resigns
Observer Online takes a look back at Warmington’s other brushes with controversy over the years.
GO TO HELL! (March 2011)
– On March 8, 2011, which happened to be International Women’s Day, Warmington told CVM TV female anchor Kerlyn Brown to “Go to hell!” before terminating a live phone interview with her after being questioned about his reasons for remaining in Parliament despite being a United States citizen which made him ineligible to sit in the House.
Expletive-laden tirade at journalists (August 2015)
– In August 2015, Warmington had a run-in with journalists who were covering the then Opposition JLP’s caucus that month. Warmington verbally abused members of the press as photographers tried to take his picture and also pushed the camera of a young reporter from the Gleaner Company. The MP later attributed his actions to the effects of medication and said he regretted his actions.
Flipping the bird (August 2015)
– However, less than a week after abusing journalists, Warmington was at it again, this time flipping the bird on a group of media personnel and JLP supporters at the party’s Belmont Road headquarters while wearing a neck brace.
Hanna called a ‘Jezebel’ (January 2016)
– In January 2016, two PNP groups started an online petition for the suspension of Warmington for calling government MP Lisa Hanna a Jezebel, a derogatory term for a woman to mean evil and scheming.
Soldier reportedly called a** ho** (February 2016)
– A month later, Warmington reportedly called a member of the Jamaica Defence Force an a** ho** at a polling station during the 2016 general elections. The incident reportedly occurred at the Old Harbour Primary School in St Catherine after a soldier told him he had to go inside the polling station alone. Warmington reportedly told the soldier: “You have no authority to order me! Let the police address me! You are an a** ho**! Don’t say nothing!”
‘Get off my phone!’ (October 2018)
– Warmington again displayed vile behavior towards a woman in October 2018, after reporter, Sashana Small of Business Access TV, called him to get a comment on a strike being staged by workers on a road project. “Don’t call me and ask me damn nonsense…Get off my phone,” he barked at her before terminating the call.
‘I don’t need to give you nuh update’ (September 2022)
– When contacted for an update on the Government’s pace of works to replace a collapsed bridge in Troy, Trelawny, Warmington appeared to be annoyed by the Sunday Observer‘s interest. “Tell me something: Is that the only bridge in Jamaica that needs replacement or repair? … I don’t need to give you nuh update at all! I’m asking if that is the only bridge in Jamaica that needs replacement or repair? That is not the only one!” he said before abruptly ending the phone call.
Use of the race card (November 2022)
– At a JLP Area Council Two meeting, Warmington launched a broadside against Opposition Leader Mark Golding over his race. In launching the attack, Warmington boldly asserted that the Jamaican-born Golding will never become prime minister because of his skin colour. Apparently believing that no one inside the JLP can rein him in, Warmington, for good measure, added: “I can say anything I want to say as long as I don’t embarrass the prime minister. Let them go to hell!” His comments were condemned by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and the Office of the Political Ombudsman.
‘I don’t tour with councillor-caretakers’ (May 2023)
– During a tour of Portland Eastern on May 3 last year, Warmington was seen angrily berating councillor caretaker for the Fellowship division, Colin Bell. Warmington reportedly told Bell that he will not be conducting a tour with councillor-caretakers, regardless of their party affiliation. “You don’t follow my tour. Caretakers are not recognised in the Constitution of Jamaica,” he told Bell.