Franklin clarifies JLP election controversy

General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Aundre Franklin, said the constitutional issues surrounding the election of three deputy leaders was not the fault of any of the candidates.

Franklin, who was addressing the opening session of the JLP's annual conference yesterday, said the controversy was the result of glitches in the nomination process.

Franklin’s comments follow an aborted court action by JLP member Everald Warmington.

Warmington had sought to block the election of three of the four incumbent deputy leaders who were all seeking re-election.

He was claiming that Audley Shaw, Dr Christopher Tufton and Desmond McKenzie, were not properly nominated.

The JLP General Secretary told delegates that up to yesterday morning, he had only received nominations from Party Leader Andrew Holness and deputy leader James Robertson.

Both were returned unopposed.

However, Franklin said the issues surrounding the nomination of the three senior members should not distract from the work they have done in their area councils.

He further said he expected that they would be returned when the party's central executive committee meets in two weeks.

However, immediately after his address, Jamaica Labour Party Member Senator Arthur Williams moved a resolution for Shaw, Tufton and McKenzie to be returned.

The resolution was seconded by Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and carried allowing for the three men to be returned to their deputy leader posts.

Warmington had contended that McKenzie and Shaw were nominated fewer than 30 days before the annual conference which is against the party’s constitution.

Tufton was nominated by a constituency which is not recognised under the JLP constitution.

However, a day after filing an application for an injunction to block the election, Warmington withdrew the matter.

Yesterday, the party leader Andrew Holness sent message analysts say was directed at Warmington.

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

radio@gleanerjm.com