November 4, 2026

JLP calls for sanctions against PNP’s Mikael Phillips and Dr. Angela Brown Burke

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is calling for People’s National Party (PNP) members Mikael Phillips and Dr. Angela Brown Burke to be sanctioned for what is being deemed crude, unbecoming and violent conduct in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The JLP cited the confrontation between its member Desmond McKenzie and Mr. Phillips, during which the party says Phillips used expletives and moved in what it described as an aggressive manner towards McKenzie, shortly after the House was adjourned.

Mr. Phillips has since acknowledged that he reacted angrily during the incident and used an expletive, an action for which he says he is regretful.

However, JLP Deputy General Secretary Charles Sinclair says Phillips’ apology is not good enough.

Sinclair said Phillips should face strong sanctions for his conduct, which was caught on camera.

Mr. Sinclair says Phillips also owes House Speaker Juliet Holness, the Parliament and the people of Jamaica an unequivocal apology.

Additionally, Sinclair says a video which has emerged of South West St. Andrew MP Dr. Brown Burke imposing herself in the parliamentary aisle, in violation of parliamentary convention as the Speaker departed the chamber, and what he describes as the physical assault of Mrs. Holness, while shouting “coward”, is startling and represents a new low for the Jamaican Parliament.

According to Mr. Sinclair, Dr. Brown Burke should be strongly sanctioned for her conduct.

Mr. Sinclair says the JLP stands with Mrs. Holness and calls on all well-thinking Jamaicans to denounce the behaviour of the PNP representatives in Parliament.