The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is describing the People’s National Party (PNP) and its spokesman, Zulieka Jess’s, condemnation of the interdiction of Dr Aujae Dixon as vulgar, hypocritical and the latest confirmation of the PNP’s untrustworthiness and willingness to conveniently apply principles when it serves their narrow political interest.

Dixon, who was a candidate in the September 3 general election, was interdicted by the South Regional Health Authority after he participated in political activity in contravention of well-known public sector staff orders. The PNP has called for his immediate reinstatement and argued that his constitutional rights have been breached.

A member of the JLP’s Communication Taskforce, Senator Marlon Morgan, commented. “Let us not forget that this same PNP, via its then General Secretary Julian Robinson, in 2020 had written to the Political Ombudsman seeking to have Rhoda Crawford sanctioned when in 2020 she had announced her intention to enter representational politics and had only a few days remaining on her HEART TRUST NTA contract.

“Let us also not forget that in 2018, with no objection from the PNP, there was a public call for the resignation of OPM Director of Communication Robert Morgan after he announced his intention to enter representational politics. We should also recall that recently, Councillor Dean Jones’ status as a councillor was revoked when this same PNP took him to court, arguing he was a public sector worker at the time of his election and in contravention of the rules,” Morgan said.

Morgan emphasised that these recent events indicate that the PNP’s objection to the interdiction of Dr Dixon is the latest example of their preparedness to apply convenient principles and barefaced hypocrisy in order to score political points.

“At no point when they sought to have members of the JLP adversely impacted by the same section of the public sector staff orders applied to Dixon did they raise the issue of the constitutionality of the provisions. The latest stance of Jess and the PNP is yet another reminder of why the people of Jamaica cannot trust them or take seriously their utterances on matters of national importance. They are a morally bankrupt political organisation which is prepared to adjust their position not based on principle but according to what may appear popular at a particular time or is convenient to them.”

Senator Morgan says that a year before the General Election was held in 2025, a public advisory was issued by the Ministry of Health reminding of the requirements of the public sector staff orders, and “it is clear that Dixon felt he was above the rules which is applicable to all public servants.”

Morgan further noted that additionally the public should recall that during the recent General Election Campaign, the PNP sought to have the section of the public sector staff orders which has reportedly been used to interdict Dixon applied to him (Marlon Morgan) when one of their affiliate organisations issued a media release and falsely alleged that he remained a member of the public service while conducting political duties.

“Instead of resorting to the usual PNP tactic of selectively championing causes and taking politically expedient positions simply because they advance the PNP’s narrow partisan interests, the time has come for the PNP to act on principle.

“This is an opportune moment for the PNP to embrace the Constitutional Reform Committee, as it is well-placed to provide a forum for sober, responsible and forward-looking dialogue and consensus on issues such as the Public Service Staff Orders reform, and make a determination as to which categories of public sector workers could be allowed to publicly engage in political activities, including contesting elections, in the same way that teachers are currently able to do,” Senator Morgan concluded.