JLP blasts Brown-Burke over mace incident

Chaos erupted in Gordon House on Tuesday after South West St Andrew MP Angela Brown-Burke grabbed the parliamentary mace, sparking outrage that led to her suspension and a sharp rebuke from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

The governing JLP has since slammed Brown-Burke's actions as "disgraceful and repugnant," accusing her of deliberately disrupting proceedings as lawmakers debated the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill.

Everything unfolded during heated deliberations when Brown-Burke lifted the mace and initially refused to leave the Chamber after being ordered out.

Her actions brought proceedings to a halt and forced a temporary suspension as tensions flared between Government and Opposition members.

In a statement on Wednesday, the JLP said interfering with the mace is a serious breach of Parliament's Standing Orders and amounts to contempt.

"MP Brown-Burke's conduct in disrupting the sitting of the House of Representatives is unacceptable and a disgrace. Her action was a clear attempt to disrupt the business of the Parliament, which was in the process of treating with a bill, which is crucial to assist Jamaicans to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa," said JLP Communication Chairman Abka Fitz-Henley.

He also took aim at Opposition MPs, accusing them of backing the chaos.

"The stance taken by Brown Burke's colleague PNP MPs, who stood and blocked her departure from the parliamentary chamber, despite it being clear she was in the wrong, confirms that the PNP cannot be trusted to treat with the business of the people in an appropriate manner," he said.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness also weighed in, describing the scenes as embarrassing.

"The order of the House and dignity of the House must be preserved," Holness said, adding that the incident would not be remembered as one of Parliament's finest moments.

Speaker of the House Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert moved swiftly, ordering Brown-Burke's removal and warning that the mace must never be touched.

"At no time can you grab the mace in Parliament. Not even in jest, member... and not in protest either," she declared.

Brown-Burke, flanked by Opposition colleagues including Opposition Leader Mark Golding, initially resisted leaving, prompting a tense standoff inside the Chamber before she was eventually removed.

Government lawmakers later backed a motion to suspend her for the remainder of the sitting, allowing debate on the NaRRA Bill to resume.

The parliamentary mace, a longstanding symbol of legislative authority, is treated with strict reverence, and any interference is considered a serious offence under Westminster-style parliamentary rules.