PNPYO accuses JLP’s Young Jamaica of 'misinformation' over Golding's income filings, demands apology

The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) has accused Young Jamaica, the governing Jamaica Labour Party's youth arm, of spreading "misinformation" about Opposition Leader Mark Golding's 2024 income declaration, and is demanding a public apology. 

The certification of Golding's 2024 statutory declaration by the Integrity Commission was published in the Jamaica Gazette on May 26, 2026, more than a week before Young Jamaica issued its June 4 statement asking Golding to explain the status of his certification. 

"The Jamaica Gazette is the official state newspaper and journal of record for the Government of Jamaica," the PNPYO said on Monday, adding that even basic due diligence would have revealed the facts prior to publication of Young Jamaica’s statement.

It continued: "The public is therefore entitled to ask whether this was simply negligence or a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Leader of the Opposition," the statement read.

PNPYO General Secretary Peta-Gay Ferguson also pointed to commitments made by the Government to fight misinformation. "The prime minister and the minister with responsibility for information have repeatedly pledged to fight misinformation and correct falsehoods when they arise," she said. 

“This is their opportunity to prove that those commitments are more than talking points. If an apology to the Leader of the Opposition is not forthcoming, it will speak volumes about how seriously the JLP and its affiliates truly take transparency, accountability, and honest public discourse."

The PNPYO noted that Golding's statutory declarations have been certified by the Integrity Commission every year since he entered Parliament in 2017, including for the year ending December 31, 2024.

The group urged Young Jamaica to demand accountability from its own party’s leadership, pointing out Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has remained uncertified since 2021. Holness is challenging aspects of an Integrity Commission’s investigation into his 2021 declaration. 

A summary of Golding's income, assets and liabilities for 2024 was published in The Sunday Gleaner, showing total family income of $39.9 million, a sharp decline from $70.7 million in 2023.

The total Jamaican assets of the Golding family dipped from J$165.6 million in 2023 when compared with J$142.1 million the following year.

At the same time, the total assets held in US-denominated currency by the Golding family amounted to US$908,907, representing a reduction when compared with US$995,874 in 2023.

“The Integrity Commission hereby certifies that the statutory declaration submitted by the above named declarant has been examined. Based on the examination, which does not constitute an audit, it appears that the declaration has been duly completed in accordance with the provisions of the act,” the Integrity Commission noted.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.