PNP president has ‘moral obligation’ to say whether he is a British citizen – Warmington
KINGSTON, Jamaica- St Catherine South West Member of Parliament Everald Warmington says given his recent support for dual citizens being allowed to sit in parliament, President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Mark Golding, has a moral obligation to declare whether he is a British citizen.
Golding recently stated his support of dual citizens being allowed to sit in the Houses of Parliament in Jamaica.
In pushing for the Caribbean Court of Justice to be made Jamaica’s final appellate court, Golding also stated that it should not be a case where Jamaica has “one foot in and one foot out of King Charles’ yard”.
Those comments have triggered several calls on social media for Golding to declare whether he’s both a Jamaican and British citizen.
In audio released to the media on Friday, Warmginton said Golding has a moral obligation to answer the question.
“I heard the PNP president this week calling for dual citizens to be able to lawfully sit in Jamaica’s Parliament. You know that is a remarkable and hypocritical position when compared to the PNP’s past position on this matter. But you know what, what the PNP president needs to do is tell Jamaica whether he is a citizen of Britain”, the Catherine South West MP commented.
Warmington said Golding should offer an answer so that Jamaicans may evaluate his posture concerning the issue of dual citizenship and the island becoming a Republic.
The Supreme Court ruled a few years ago that it’s lawful for Jamaicans who are also citizens of countries in the Commonwealth to be parliamentarians. But Warmington says given that he aspires to lead Jamaica, Golding has a moral dilemma if he is a citizen of Britain.
The Government MP says Jamaicans should also be aware that under British law, it is a crime for any British citizen to serve in the army of another country or come to the defense of another country during conflict.
“So the PNP president, who wants to be Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in Jamaica, needs to tell us whether he is a British citizen. It is really an important question for him to answer”, Warmington concluded.
Dancehall entertainer, Mr Vegas, who often gives commentary on current affairs online, has also added his voice to debate about the PNP president’s status.
“Mr Mark Golding, are you a citizen of Britain? If yes, then you are a subject of the King of England, how then are you saying you want full decolonization but are a subject of the King and that we can’t have one foot in and one foot out?”, Vegas questioned in a post on social media on Friday.
During an interview with journalists in 2022, Golding said as a child he had a British passport but does not intend to renew it.
“My father was born in the United Kingdom (UK). As a child I had a British passport. When I became an adult I got a Jamaican passport and since I have become involved in representational politics I no longer maintain my UK passport and will not be renewing that because I don’t think it is appropriate”, Golding told journalists then.