The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has expressed sadness at the passing of former Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central, Russell Hammond.

Mr Hammond, who was also the Managing Director of Hammond’s Pastry Place in the parish, passed away last night at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

He had been ailing for some time.

Speaking with IRIE FM news, JLP’s General Secretary, Dr. Horace Chang described Mr Hammond as being committed to his country, political party and business.

Dr Chang hailed Mr Hammond for his pioneering political work, in Westmoreland, a parish many deemed at the time, a People’s National Party’s stronghold.