Jamaica to challenge commonwealth secretary general’s re-election

Caribbean Community had endorsed Patricia Scotland but Jamaican minister Kamina Johnson-Smith will now oppose her

Patricia Scotland's hopes of being re-elected Commonwealth secretary general have been dealt a blow, with Jamaica's foreign minister, Kamina Johnson-Smith, announcing that she is challenging Scotland for the post.

The decision has sparked controversy in the Caribbean, which had previously met to back Scotland's bid for a second term. The Antiguan prime minister, Gaston Browne, has described Jamaica's decision to break ranks as a monumental error".