St James JLP councillors Anthony Murray and Gregory Harris disqualified for refusing to swear on the Bible

Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillors Anthony Murray and Gregory Harris were this morning disqualified from taking their places in the St James Municipal Corporation after they refused to swear on the Bible to take to the Oath of Office, citing religious beliefs.

Murray, of the Rose Hall division, and Harris, of the Salt Spring division, had initially chosen to affirm instead of swearing on the Bible during today's first meeting of the municipal corporation under newly-minted Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon.

However, the two men were disqualified from taking their seats after fellow JLP councillor Charles Sinclair, who represents the Montego Bay North East division, objected to their refusal on the grounds that their actions violated the Local Governance Act.

Section 30 of the Act stipulates that a person who is elected to the position of a mayor or councillor, and who does not take and subscribe the prescribed oath of office, will be immediately disqualified and shall cease to hold the office.

However, Murray and Harris are contending that they were given the option to affirm, in keeping with their religious beliefs, when they were freshly installed as councillors on Thursday, March 7, following the February 26 Local Government Election.

Interestingly, Kerry Thomas, the People's National Party councillor for the Mount Salem division, also initially chose to affirm rather than swear during this morning's meeting.

However, he relented and swore on the Bible shortly after the objections were raised.

The municipal corporation is expected to seek clarification on the issue from the Attorney General ahead of its next meeting.

- Christopher Thomas

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