‘We wish him well’

Former People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for Kingston Central Lawrence Rowe has suggested that he was forced out of the position amid a breakdown in negotiations involving millions of dollars and a promised Senate position with the party’s hierarchy.

Multiple Gleaner sources have confirmed that retired crime fighter Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor is to be announced as the party’s new prospective candidate later this week for the general election due by September.

McGregor served as commanding officer for the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Kingston Central Division between 2010 and 2012 under former Police Commissioner Owen Ellington.

PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell, in a media release on Saturday, announced that Rowe had been withdrawn as the party’s candidate.

Campbell said the party’s leadership had been meeting with Rowe and the constituency executive of Kingston Central during what he called a period of transition to emphasise that the constituency’s interests are paramount.

A week ago, The Gleaner contacted Rowe amid rumours that he had been booted as the candidate and that McGregor was his replacement.

“My understanding is that I am still the candidate. I don’t think that is the case,” Rowe said then.

However, in a turn of events on Sunday, Rowe outlined in a Facebook post what he described as a chronology of events between December 6, 2024, and January 11, which included alleged negotiations that ended with his removal.

Rowe said the constituency, under his stewardship, received a passing grade following an assessment by former PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson. Robinson managed the PNP’s local government machinery for Kingston and St Andrew last February.

Rowe said that on December 20, Campbell contacted him via WhatsApp, requesting a list of detractors within the constituency. He said the list was provided.

Two days later, he said he wrote to Campbell expressing concerns about the sincerity of the party’s management within Kingston and St Andrew in relation to regaining the seat lost to the Jamaica Labour Party in the September 2020 general election.

“I also inquired whether resources were being deliberately withheld to frustrate my efforts. The general secretary refuted these allegations,” said Rowe.

He said he was invited to and attended a meeting on December 27, which included PNP Chairman Dr Angela Brown Burke and Deputy General Secretary Wensworth Skeffrey.

He said he was informed during the meeting that he was being removed as the candidate and in response tendered his resignation a day later from the deputy shadow Cabinet.

“I met with the general secretary, who attempted to negotiate my transition. He offered me the role of deputy education shadow minister and $15 million. I declined and counter-proposed an appointment to a housing agency, a Senate position, and the $15 million. He promised to discuss this proposal with the party leader ... ,” said Rowe.

He said on December 30, he was told by Campbell that PNP President Mark Golding had committed to one of the 13 Senate appointments, board membership at a housing agency, and $15 million in resources.

“He also explained that the party was experiencing a cash flow crisis. He requested a withdrawal letter, but I informed him that I would first report to my executive on January 2, 2025,” he said, adding that Campbell again unsuccessfully requested a withdrawal letter.

He said a meeting was held on January 4 with Golding, Campbell, and PNP Senator Peter Bunting to discuss the matter, and an agreement was reached for a reconsideration.

Rowe said on January 8, Campbell and Brown Burke convened a meeting with the constituency executive, informing of the party’s decision to remove him as candidate.

“During the meeting, I reminded the general secretary that veto powers are vested in the party leader and that I was awaiting his decision following further soundings,” he said.

He said on January 10, Golding officially informed him of his decision to withdraw his candidacy.

“The general secretary issued a public release, confirming my removal as a candidate,” said Rowe.

The Gleaner contacted Campbell for comment on Rowe’s post.

“Lawrence Rowe is no longer the candidate, and we wish him well,” said Campbell, repeatedly.

McGregor, who. in 2024, was appointed as the new director of security at The University of the West Indies, Mona, declined comment when contacted by The Gleaner.

Gleaner sources have indicated that the party is to confirm him as the candidate this week after months of talks.

“He’s revered in the community for the kind of people-centric approach he had when he was there. He had a real relationship with them, and the party is hoping that will factor in it getting back [Michael] Manley and Ronnie (Ronald Thwaites) seat. He’s not a newcomer as some may want you to believe. He’s returning,” one source said.

kimone.francis@gleanerjm.com