Blackett suspension being challenged

Sections of the Democratic Labour Party are fighting attempts by the party’s general council to suspend the General Secretary, Steve Blackett, and the DLP’s Executive Council is to meet this afternoon on the matter.

Mr. Blackett has scathingly criticized the party’s new political leader Ralph Thorne and sought the revocation of his membership as well as his expulsion from the DLP.

Last night, the DLP’s general council, a grouping of the DLP’s former parliamentarians, elders and representatives of the branches, voted to bring disciplinary charges against Mr. Blackett and to suspend him from his party post.

Assistant General Secretary, Pedro Sheperd, who has previously expressed no confidence in Mr. Blackett and the party’s President Dr. Ronnie Yearwood, has been named as the acting General Secretary.

But last night’s decisions are being challenged.

Sources close to the Yearwood/Blackett faction of the party have been telling Starcom Network News that they consider the Blackett suspension to be null and void as prior to the vote the meeting had been adjourned by the President and that in his absence, in their words, a kangaroo court was convened to convict a man in his absence.

They argue that such decisions have to go before the executive council which is being convened at 4 o’clock this afternoon.

They also disclosed that Mr. Blackett was not present to be able to defend himself as he’s not in the country as he’s overseas attending the funeral of a relative.

Meantime, the President Dr. Yearwood declined comment.

DLP member, Hartley Reid, who has sought to bring a vote of no-confidence against the President and General Secretary, welcomes the suspension as he believes the move will lead to greater unity within the party.

DLP member Hartley Reid.

Political scientist, Dr. George Belle, believes last night’s development is a clear sign of victory for political leader Ralph Thorne in his efforts to take control of the party and defeat of his opponents.