Jamaïque : injunction stops Clarendon council from acting against its mayor and deputy

What the order prevents

According to the Jamaica Observer, the interim injunction came from the Supreme Court. It stopped councillors from debating or voting on key agenda items tied to the proposed removal of Mayor Joel Williams and Deputy Mayor Clivalee Mundle. The paper presents the order as a setback for the People's National Party (PNP) in its effort to win control of the corporation.

The Gleaner describes the order differently. It says the injunction bars motions of no confidence against the mayor and the deputy mayor, whom it names as Clive Mundle. The two outlets therefore spell the deputy mayor's first name differently.

The PNP response

The Gleaner reports that the PNP caucus called the injunction a "threat on democracy". The caucus also questioned how the document was presented at the special meeting on Friday.

The councillor at the centre of the dispute

The Jamaica Observer links the tension to Tanya-Lee Williams, councillor for the May Pen North Division. She announced that she intends to leave the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and join the PNP. The paper reports that she tried to cross the floor at the Thursday sitting of the corporation. The move was ruled inadmissible because she had not followed the procedure set out in the council's standing orders, and the meeting was adjourned.

The Jamaica Observer also reports a JLP statement issued on Thursday. In it, the party said it had noted her announcement but had received no formal resignation letter from her. It added that it had started steps to have her expelled.

The material available does not say who asked the court for the order. It also does not say when the matter will next be heard.