The Democratic Labour party is said to have officially rebuffed the request from Reverend Guy Hewitt to be named the party’s candidate for the Christ Church East Central constituency in the next general election.

Usually reliable party sources tell Starcom Network News that the DLP’s general council, the highest decision-making body of the party, last night voted overwhelmingly to reject the constituency bid.

The DLP’s executive council had met on Tuesday and considered Reverend Hewitt’s stated interest in the contesting the seat formerly held by Ronald Jones and currently represented by Ryan Straughn.

Starcom Network News understands that Reverend Hewitt had submitted a letter that day expressing an interest in the nomination for that constituency.

However, the council on Tuesday agreed to stand by the decision of the branch which having already gone through the formal selection process had endorsed Rasheed Belgrave as the DLP candidate in that riding.

Starcom has learnt that the matter went before the general council last night and Reverend Hewitt had the support of a number of party members who were described as the old guard, comprising former MPs and cabinet ministers in the previous Stuart administration.

Reverend Hewitt’s supporters are said to have piloted a motion to set aside the decision of the branch and the executive council and delay the process of selection to allow for consideration of Reverend Hewitt’s letter stating his interest in the seat.

But, according to our sources, the general council voted 26 to 13 to reject that motion and confirmed Mr. Belgrave as the DLP candidate for Christ Church East Central.