SJMC: Councillors Weren’t Disqualified from Swearing-in

The St. James Municipal Corporation is moving to reassure the public that two elected councillors were not disqualified for failing to swear on the bible.

The corporation was responding to media reports that said councillors Anthony Murray of the Rose Hall Division and Gregory Harris of the Salt Spring Division were disqualified or blocked from taking office at the first sitting of council on Thursday.

In a statement to the media, chairman of the corporation and mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon, says Murray and Harris will be duly installed.

He says this will be done using the prescribed format for affirmation at the next sitting of the council.

He says research by chief executive officer of the corporation, Naudia Crosskill, and communication with the Ministry of Local Government revealed that Section 6 of the Oaths Act, 1973 allows for affirmation in cases where individuals opt not to swear.