Mark Golding Admits He’s a Dual Citizen

Amid widespread pressure from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party and prominent figures on social media, Opposition Leader Mark Golding has declared that he is indeed a British citizen.

The Gleaner newspaper says the PNP President made the admission in an interview with them on Sunday.

The article, published in today’s edition of the paper, quotes Golding saying, “I am a Jamaican citizen by birth. I am also a UK citizen by descent. I have not renounced my British citizenship as it is not legally necessary for me to do so.”

There have been widespread calls for Mark Golding to declare the status of his citizenship, in light of his position that dual citizens be allowed to sit as members of parliament.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Section 39-part ‘A’ of the Jamaican Constitution, says any person, who at the date of their appointment or nomination for election, can serve in parliament as long as he or she is a Commonwealth citizen of the age of 21 years and upwards.

Golding’s comment to the Gleaner, that he hasn’t renounced his citizenship because it isn’t legally necessary for him to do so, is sure to prompt more questions from those who insist that no person aspiring for the job of Prime Minister of Jamaica ought to be a citizen, subject or have any form of allegiance to any foreign government.

Meanwhile, Deputy General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, JLP, Senator Charles Sinclair Junior, says Mark Golding has no choice but to renounce his British citizenship.

Senator Sinclair says it’s grossly insincere and hypocritical of the Opposition Leader to call for full decolonisation from Britain while he remains a British citizen.

Senator Charles Sinclair Junior, JLP deputy general secretary.