Young Jamaica—the youth arm of the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)—is describing as “unacceptable and disgraceful” People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding and PNP Spokesman on Health, Dr Alfred Dawes refusal to disclose at a press conference whether 12 dialysis machines which the Auditor General says were inappropriately and unlawfully imported using the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI)’s tax exemption status, are based at a business owned by a PNP Member of Parliament.

Media reports have indicated that the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime (CTOC) branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reportedly probing the issue.

At the PNP’s media conference on Thursday, party members “dodged majority” of the questions posed about the ongoing saga implicating a company owned by a senior PNP member.

“This confirms that the Opposition is hypocritical when they speak about accountability, probity and transparency. Golding’s evasive responses given at the media conference reaffirm that he has no credibility and cannot be trusted to act when matters of corruption have implications for members of his party,” Young Jamaica said.

“Golding’s abysmal performance at the media conference presents further fodder for some of his colleague party members, who are reportedly taking steps to challenge his presidency of the PNP.

“Arising from the media conference was the particularly disgraceful performance of Dr Dawes, where he sought to pursue his inexplicable obsession with Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton but refused to successfully distance himself from the company implicated in the UHWI tax exemption controversy,” the group said.

Young Jamaica said it must be noted that up until “very recently, Dr Dawes was listed on the website of the company in question as a consultant. 

The group added: “Young Jamaica recognises the role of a credible Opposition in any democratic society. However, we are of the view that given his history of false statements over the past few years and his pretentious, shambolic and unconvincing move to distance himself from the entity at the centre of the ongoing saga, then PNP President Mark Golding should reconsider Dr Alfred Dawes’ future as Opposition Spokesman on Health. Jamaica deserves an Opposition Spokesman who can be believed when he speaks to the nation.”