Jamaican PM survives confidence vote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in parliament after the opposition urged him to resign over his alleged support of a suspected drug lord wanted by the US.
On a 30-28 vote, MPs rejected a motion to censure Mr Golding for his handling of a US extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke, the reputed drug kingpin.
Coke, a supporter of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party, has wielded influence over the volatile inner-city constituency that Mr Golding represents. Coke is wanted in New York on drug and gun smuggling charges. Mr Golding and his political allies opposed the extradition request for nine months before bowing to US pressure to arrest Coke and begin extradition proceedings against him.
Coke remains a fugitive after security forces clashed with his supporters in the capital last week in violence that killed at least 73 civilians.
The opposition People's National Party brought the no-confidence motion against Mr Golding because he allegedly misrepresented the facts surrounding the US extradition request for Coke. "Something is rotten in the state of Jamaica," opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller, a former prime minister, said in the debate calling for Mr Golding to step down.
She was referring to Mr Golding's recent acknowledgment, after an earlier denial, that he had sanctioned his party's hiring of a US law firm to lobby against the extradition.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments