Dennis Meadows, the People’s National Party (PNP) MP-candidate for Trelawny Northern, is offering an unreserved retraction of comments made during the final leg of the Local Government Election campaign where he seemingly showed support to lottery scammers.

In a now viral social media video, Meadows could be heard saying: “Mi a speak to the youth man dem on the corner, especially the one dem weh call themself choppa. Let me tell you straight, I have no problem with a man if him want chop, because dem chop us during slavery, so nothing no wrong if we chop dem back.”

He went on to say that his only concern with the illegal activity is that the individuals who perpetuate the crime should use the funds wisely.

“My only problem with chopping is when you bingo and you score, use the money wisely, set up yourself, open a business, make sure mommy look good, make sure you baby mother look good but don’t take the money and use Hennessey and wash car or use US dollar light cigarette,” he added.

After much public backlash, including calls for the PNP to part ways and remove his candidature, Meadows conceded that the comments do not reflect his true stance on the illegal activity.

See the full statement below:

“I would like to address video excerpts of comments I made on the final leg of the LGE campaign that do not reflect my true stance on criminal activities, particularly lottery scamming.

I unequivocally withdraw those remarks and want to make it clear that I condemn any form of fraud and criminal behaviour generally.

It was a thoughtless and unwise response to the deluge of money that was being corruptly spent in the Trelawny campaign by our opponents.

I am fully committed to upholding the law and collaborating with law enforcement authorities to prevent crime in all its manifestations. I sincerely apologize to the Jamaican people, Comrade Leader Mark Golding, the PNP leadership, and our supporters in North Trelawny for the offence caused by my inappropriate comments.

I pledge to exercise greater responsibility moving forward.”