Politician arrested for allegedly pointing gun at wife

Arthur Lynch, the Jamaica Labour Party councillor for the Montego Bay South East (Rose Heights) Division in St James, was suspended by the party yesterday following reports that he pointed a gun at his wife.

The police's Corporate Communications Unit said that Lynch was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearm and assault at common law. The incident allegedly took place on Tuesday afternoon at the couple's home in Rose Heights. THE STAR has learnt that the couple have been having matrimonial problems over the past months, which resulted in Lynch temporarily moving out of the family home. He reportedly went back to the house on Tuesday to pick up some of his clothes and other personal items when he was confronted by his wife. An argument reportedly developed between the two and Lynch allegedly drew his licensed firearm and pointed it at his wife. The matter was reported to the police and following an investigation, Lynch was arrested and charged.

The JLP said it was conducting a probe into the matter, the findings of which would be turned over to the party's central executive.

"The secretariat of the Jamaica Labour Party is advising that the party membership of councillor for the Montego Bay South East Division, Arthur Lynch, has been suspended with immediate effect," a statement from the JLP read.

Lynch is the second JLP politician to land in hot water this year in regards to assault allegations which resulted in a police investigation.

In April, Central Westmoreland Member of Parliament George Wright was implicated in a case of assault allegedly carried out on his common-law wife at a house in Chester Castle, Hanover. Even though he was never charged with a crime, Wright resigned from the JLP in June. He has been sitting in Parliament as an independent member of parliament.