Hay-webster

DISCUSSIONS ARE taking place within the People's National Party (PNP) about the eligibility of Sharon Hay-Webster to sit in the House of Representatives as member of parliament (MP) for South Central St Catherine.

The Gleaner understands that the three-time MP is being urged to resign as she may be in breach of the Constitution, which prohibits persons who have sworn allegiance to a foreign power from being an MP or a senator.

A young "party man" is reportedly being considered to take over the PNP stronghold.

Hay-Webster, who was the holder of a United States passport, found herself in an uncomfortable position after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the PNP's Abe Dabdoub that Daryl Vaz of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was not qualified to be the West Portland MP, as he had pledged allegiance to a foreign power.

Acts of allegiance

Chief Justice Zaila McCalla, in disqualifying Vaz as MP for West Portland, said the act of acquiring, travelling and renewing his US passport were acts of allegiance.

Hay-Webster has said her US passport, which was acquired at birth, has expired.

In a release yesterday, the PNP admitted that Hay Webster's status as a MP is being reviewed.

The PNP said that the initial legal advice received on Hay-Webster's status indicated that she was eligible to sit in the House of Representatives. However, in light of the chief justice's recent ruling in the Dabdoub v Vaz case, an updated opinion is being sought.

Three other claims of constitutional breaches arising out of divided allegiances have been made against JLP MPs. The cases are before the courts.