‘Civil servants being questioned how they voted’ — Simpson Miller

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller has called on the prime minister to investigate information that civil servants in a particular ministry are being asked to disclose how they voted in the February general election.

“It should be no business of the political directorate how any civil servant votes. That is their constitutional right,” Simpson Miller said.

She had interrupted her contribution to the budget debate in Parliament to make the complaint to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

“I’m therefore saddened to have learned. I don’t know if it’s true but I’m going to say that, prime minister, you can investigate it,” Simpson Miller added.

She didn’t name the ministry and said she would give Holness details in private.

But government member Everald Warmington sought to chastise Simpson Miller for raising the allegation publicly, in light of the fact that she' isn't certain that her information is accurate.

The Jamaica Labour Party was swept to power in the February 25 general election, defeating the People’s National Party by a seat.