Advisor to former Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, Gabrielle Hylton, is the third casualty of the infamous R Hotel mockery of ‘no movement day’ as she tendered her resignation on Wednesday (September 15). 

Hylton, in a statement, apologised to the Jamaican people for partying while many citizens were forced to stay home as stipulated by the Government to control further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

After a full day of social media backlash, Hylton, whose 31st birthday led to the now-viral videos in circulation, claimed to have reflected and concluded: “a grave error of judgement was made”.

Hylton further claimed she was disappointed in the role she played in “stripping Jamaica of a good leader”.

Being one of several Government officials “toasting” with flowing Moët champagne and captured joining several others in chorus to mock no movement day at a party organised in her honour, Hylton said she resigned from all state-run boards she was associated with. 

Those organisations are namely: the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA).

See Hylton’s statement in full below:

“All day I have been thinking long and hard about what to say in relation to the video circulating with me on social media. 

The truth is there are no words that can cauterize the wounds created from the perception that we are not, in fact, all equal in the law of the land. I accept that a grave error of judgement was made.

I have worked with Floyd for many years and I have learnt many lessons from him, the greatest of which was taught today. That is, as difficult as it is, we must face our wrong head-on and acknowledge that it be only fair that we are held to the same level of accountability as others. 

I was wrong. Many of you are disappointed in me but I am even more disappointed in myself, for my actions and for the role I have played in stripping Jamaica of a good leader. I am honored to have served under his leadership for numerous years. He is a man of great character and I pray he will be given the opportunity to serve Jamaica once more. 

I have tendered my resignation from all Government Boards.

I am truly, deeply sorry.

Sincerely, Gabrielle Hylton”

Watch:

Hylton’s all-out extravaganza, which included invitees Member of Parliament Floyd Green, Councillor Andrew Bellamy and others, went viral on social media platforms late Tuesday. 

The group was observed seemingly ‘toasting’ to the success of the COVID-19 containment measures while breaching all protocols themselves. 

Outrage spread like wildfire for hours on the Twittersphere and Jamaicans amplified calls for accountability. 

Green was the first head to roll, having tendered his resignation from Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ Cabinet just before noon. He then offered a public apology to the Jamaican people shortly after.

Bellamy, the Councillor for the Mona Division in St Andrew, posted his own ‘regrets’ moments later and indicated he has relinquished his role as a director of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA). The politician/party promoter also resigned from his chairmanship of all committees within the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) majority-led Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC). 

Jamaicans await a response from the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), whose Director of Landfills Dave Powell was also seen at the event. 

Powell was seated across from former minister Floyd Green.

Related articles:

• Floyd Green’s ‘no-movement’ partying puts PM in tough spot ahead of Parliament speech
• “Disgraceful Green must go”: Golding calls on Holness to fire embattled minister caught in no-movement day controversy
• Floyd Green resigns from Cabinet (LIVE UPDATES)
• ‘I’m sorry, Jamaica’: Resigned Cabinet minister Floyd Green apologises for mocking no movement day
• Andrew Bellamy offers apology to Jamaica in wake of no-movement mockery, resigns from SERHA, KSAMC boards