PNP Wants Dr. Michelle Charles to Prove She Renounced US Citizenship

The People’s National Party is calling on the member of parliament for Eastern St. Thomas, Dr. Michelle Charles, to provide proof of her renunciation of US citizenship or face a potential legal challenge.

General Secretary of the PNP, Dr. Dayton Campbell, says they have evidence to suggest Dr. Charles did not renounce her dual citizenship before contesting the seat.

However, speaking with Nationwide News, Dr. Charles dismissed the issue, stating categorically that she is fully Jamaican.

As the debate surrounding dual citizens in Jamaica’s parliament continues, the PNP is concerned that Dr. Charles has not been forthcoming about her status.

According to the party’s General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell, there’s no written record of the Eastern St. Thomas MP, renouncing her US citizenship.

The PNP says this is in contrast to her brother Pearnel Charles, whose renunciation was made a matter of US public record in 2017.

A landmark court ruling following the 2007 General Elections made it clear that non-commonwealth dual citizens could not sit in the House of Representatives.

Dr. Campbell says attempts to get Dr. Charles to provide proof of her status have been met with hostility.

First-term MP,Dr. Charles ousted former health minister and then incumbent MP, Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during the 2020 general elections.

Dr. Campbell says the PNP is in discussions with Dr. Ferguson about a potential legal challenge.

However, Speaking with Nationwide News on the matter, Dr. Charles stated she was fully Jamaican.

She says the PNP was attempting to deflect from Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, who is a British citizen.

Dr. Charles went further to suggest that both she and her brother held dual citizenship as a result of the actions of the former Michael Manley government against their father, Pearnel Charles Senior.