November 11, 2026
Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Angela Brown Burke gives parliamentary leaders 10 days to retract assault allegations
Written byPatrice Walters
Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Angela Brown Burke is demanding that parliamentary leaders retract statements she says are false in relation to the chaos that unfolded in the Lower House last week.
Dr. Brown Burke has sent formal letters to House Speaker Juliet Holness, Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson and Government Senator Charles Sinclair, outlining her concerns and demanding specific actions.
She has given the three parliamentary officials ten days to respond and address the matters raised.
A statement from the People’s National Party outlined that the letters from Dr. Brown Burke follow a series of public statements in which Mrs. Holness, Mr. Tavares Finson and Mr. Sinclair, made or repeated allegations that Dr. Brown Burke physically assaulted or pushed the Speaker as she was leaving the chamber.
Dr. Brown Burke has consistently denied those allegations.
The PNP said it regards the circulation and repetition of serious allegations against a Member of Parliament as a matter requiring responsible and careful consideration.
It said public office holders, particularly those occupying positions of institutional authority, have a duty to ensure that statements they make are accurate, fair and supported by the facts.
It said the seriousness of an allegation should never be used to diminish the importance of establishing its veracity.
The PNP said Dr. Brown Burke’s decision to formally write to the three individuals concerned provides an opportunity for them to retract their statements and respond to the concerns raised.
The party said it will await the responses and the further steps Dr. Brown Burke may consider appropriate, including commencing claims in the Supreme Court.
The PNP said it maintains that disagreements within Parliament must be addressed through established parliamentary procedures and in keeping with the principles of fairness, accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of all members.
Equally, no parliamentarian should be subjected to public accusations without regard for the potential consequences for their reputation and standing.
The PNP said this development must be viewed against the broader concerns arising from last week’s sitting of the House, including the abrupt termination of debate on the Opposition’s censure motion concerning Jamaica’s abstention on the United Nations resolution calling for an end to the United States embargo against Cuba.
It said the right of the Opposition to scrutinise Government decisions and participate meaningfully in parliamentary debate is fundamental to the proper functioning of democracy.
The PNP said it remains committed to upholding the integrity of Parliament, defending the rights of its elected representatives and ensuring that public discourse is guided by truth, fairness and accountability.
