UPDATE: Damion Crawford rejects claim he has withdrawn PNP membership

By: Gary Spaulding

Image caption: Damion Crawford

Former Member of Parliament for East Rural St Andrew, Damion Crawford has rejected a claim by a member of the People's National Party (PNP) hierarchy that he has "withdrawn membership from the party".

The official had told The Gleaner that Crawford informed the party Secretariat that he was "withdrawing his membership from the PNP at this time".

He also said Crawford  "thanked " the PNP and indicated that there was no "hard feelings" towards the party.

The development came in the aftermath of Gleaner reports that Victor Wright, an agronomist, will replace John Paul White as the canddiate for Northern Trelawny.

Crawford was said to have his eyes on the constituency after he was defeated in the selection contest for the East Rural St Andrew seat that he has represented in Parliament since December 2011.

READ: Delegates 'discipline' Damion - Crawford defeated in constituency election 

Eight hours ago Crawford posted in his Twitter account:"Damion Crwford is not phased".

Crawford, after being rejected by the delegates of East Rural St Andrew had extended an invitation to the prospective JLP candidate, Juliet Holness.

READ: PNP's Crawford and JLP's Juliet Holness to meet

The move had found favour with some political commentators who said Crawford was demonstarting maturitity.