Member of Parliament for St Catherine South West Everald Warmington was a short while ago secretly sworn in at Kings House as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).
The press was completely unaware of the ceremony. Information Minister Ruel Reid confirmed the appointment a few minutes ago while responding to questions at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Warmington was initially left out of Holness’s top-tier leadership when the prime minister announced his Cabinet and ministers of state in March.
The absence of his name initially raised eyebrows in Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) circles, as despite his attitude, oftentimes described as crass, his loyalty to Holness and successive victories in his constituency for the party in many elections would have propelled him into the spotlight of possible leadership.
Reid said more information would be provided on Warmington’s job description at a later date. This brings to four the number of ministers without portfolio in the OPM.
Alphea Saunders