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PNP concerned violent attacks against elected officials on the increase, shocked at killing of former councillor

Published:Sunday | February 10, 2019 | 12:00 AM
General Secretary of the People's National Party (PNP) Julian Robinson

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is expressing concern that the government has decided to reduce or withdraw the security detail assigned to former ministers of government amid what it said is an increase in attacks or threats against elected officials in the country.

"It is particularly troubling that while we are experiencing vicious attacks on our elected or former elected officials, and heightened level of threats, the government has proposed to withdraw or minimise the security details of former ministers of government," PNP General Secretary Julian Robinson said in a media release today.

The concern of the Opposition party comes in the wake of the killing of one of its former councillors. The PNP president, Dr Peter Phillips, this morning expressed shock and sadness at the killing of former councillor for the White Horses Division in St Thomas, Madge Morris.

"This morning’s sad news is particularly shocking as the party continues in mourning over the tragic death of our comrade and colleague, Dr. Lynvale Bloomfield, member of parliament for East Portland, who was murdered over a week ago at his home," said Robinson.

According to PNP general secretary, the news of the former councillor's killing has "compounded the dampened spirit and sorrow among the entire membership of the organisation who are preoccupied with the burial arrangement of Dr Bloomfield".  He said although she was not presently serving in the St Thomas Municipal Corporation, she maintained her activism by serving the people of her community and parish through voluntary efforts.

Robinson said the killing of the former councillor and PNP activist "continues a catalogue of wanton acts of criminality across the country that leave too many individuals and families in mourning and rob the community and the nation of its best talents".

Continuing, he said: "We, therefore, urge the security forces to do what is necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, more importantly, we call upon anyone with information who can assist the police within the investigation, to provide whatever information known so that those responsible for Madge’s murder can be apprehended and brought to swift justice."

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