EVERALD WARMINGTON, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for South West St. Catherine, has resigned as chairman of the party's Area Council Two.

Mr. Warmington, however, has said that he still remains a member of the party and expects to run on the JLP's ticket in the upcoming general election.

In a letter to General Secretary Karl Samuda yesterday, Mr. Warmington highlighted "the arrogance and continued disregard for the rules of law being displayed by the current leadership, particularly when it has to do with the Constitution of the Jamaica Labour Party", as his reason for resigning.

Mr. Warmington had replaced Dennis Wright as Area Council Two chairman following the 2002 General Election. As Chairman, he was in charge of the organisation and administration of the 16 constituencies and 72 parish council divisions in the parishes of St. Catherine, St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas.

"I don't believe the officers have been adhering to the constitution of the party ... the one that upsets me and causes me to be very uncomfortable is that which has to do with the appointment of caretakers," Mr. Warmington told The Gleaner.

He said that although the chairman must be involved in the selection of caretakers, he has been bypassed from time to time in the selection process and in some instances appointments are made along "friend lines".

While not challenging the appointment of any caretaker/ candidate in Area Council Two, Mr. Warmington believes the party bypassed protocol for election readiness.

"I guess they were in a big haste to announce that they have all the candidates in place," added Mr. Warmington who described himself as a man of principle, who does not want the rules bent, not even in his favour.

The Gleaner's attempts to reach Mr. Samuda proved futile.