government / 36d ago
During a motion to adjourn in the House of Assembly on Friday evening, Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, publicly addressed what he described as “unsubstantiated, malicious rumors” circulating throughout the community accusing him of abusing women.
During a motion to adjourn in the House of Assembly on Friday evening, Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, publicly addressed what he described as “unsubstantiated, malicious rumors” circulating throughout the community accusing him of abusing women. Speaking emotionally on the floor of the House, Hayward revealed that on January 21st he received a forwarded message alleging that his wife had left him because of abuse and that a previous girlfriend had also ended a relationship with him for the same reason. The message further accused him of being “abusive of women” and claimed he was making decisions about the country because of family connections within the Progressive Labour Party (PLP). Hayward said that after he put his hand forward to challenge the leadership of the party, a voice message began circulating repeating similar accusations, including claims that he was “a woman beater” and had a police record to support it. The Minister strongly denied the allegations, calling them false and damaging to his character.