Councillor Uphell Purcell, the People's National Party (PNP) representative who was seen in a now viral video pleasuring himself, has resigned.
According to members of the PNP hierarchy, Purcell resigned from divisional and constituency roles after reportedly admitting that he was the person in a viral video.
Purcell has been the councillor for the York Town division in Clarendon South Western since 1998, and stands as one of the longest serving councillors in the central parish.
The STAR contacted Purcell who declined to comment on the matter immediately.
The less than two-minute long video with the nude politician, appears to be screen recording of a video call. The video began circulating less than a week ago.
The Clarendon South Western constituency committee has cited the content of the video as a misrepresentation of the ideals and morals of the PNP.
"The People's National Party's Constituency Committee for South Western Clarendon is aware of a video which features one of our elected councillors and has been circulating in the virtual space. It is without hesitation that the committee declares that the content of the video does not represent our ideals and morals, nor that of the People's National Party, which we so proudly represent," the committee said in a release, and went further to apologise to members, constituents, and supporters.
"It is our responsibility as leaders to ensure that we maintain the standards of the people we represent, and as such, after several meetings with the said councillor, we have accepted and ratified his resignation which was communicated to us at these meetings," the release continued.
The committee says the matter is otherwise being dealt with appropriately and expeditiously for the benefit of all.
According to correspondence seen by The STAR, the councillor admitted to committee members at two consecutive meetings that the video was in fact authentic.
An interim divisional chairman has been appointed, and will serve until June 25 when the divisional conference is scheduled to be held.
In a letter to Purcell dated March 27, 2023, the committee expressed gratitude for his decades of commitment to what it described as a noble movement.
"There is no doubt that you have given of your best to the constituents of York Town division, South West Clarendon, and the People's National Party," the letter said.
- Olivia Brown
