The parliamentary opposition People’s National Party (PNP), in a release late Wednesday night, says that based on their investigations, the reason for the controversial ‘rape’ comment made during an engagement with journalists at the party headquarters in St Andrew on Monday was a “Banter between friends”.

In its release, the party’s General Secretary Dr. Dayton Campbell noted that their investigations have been focused on identifying the individual responsible for making the “rape” comment, the intended target, and the context in which the comment was made.

The PNP says based on its analysis of the recording, as well as interviews conducted with individuals present at the time of the incident, “it appears that the comment was made as part of a separate conversation between two protesters from South East St. Catherine who were in the vicinity”.

With such findings, PNP has concluded the comment was not directed towards the journalist present and noted that its Deputy General Secretary, Dexroy Martin, along with others admitted they did not hear the comment at the time of the incident.

Nonetheless, the PNP says it will continue its investigation on the matter as it noted that it is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and respect in all its interactions with the media and the public.