The Opposition Democratic Labour Party’s leadership battle has taken a new twist today with the suspended President, Dr. Ronnie Yearwood and General Secretary, Steve Blackett, being summoned to a disciplinary hearing and Mr. Blackett appearing to declare war on those seeking to oust him.
Starcom Network News has been reliably informed that Dr. Yearwood and Mr. Blackett today received a notice of summons to a meeting on the August 7th, to answer to disciplinary charges.
Meantime, a notice issued in the name of First Vice President, Michael Lashley, summoned members to an in-person emergency meeting of the DLP Executive Council at 5pm today at the party’s George Street, Belleville, headquarters.
But in response, acting President Andre Worrell and General Secretary Pedro Shepherd issued their own press statement declaring that they were the only officers authorized to call any lawful meeting of the Executive Council.
The statement notes the cessation of the court action challenging the suspension of Dr. Yearwood and Mr. Blackett.
The statement points out that the court case has been withdrawn and stresses that acting President Worrell and acting General Secretary Shepherd are the only officers authorized to call any lawful meeting of the Executive Council.
It adds that any other meeting otherwise called and constituted and any decisions taken by any other group has no legality.
These developments come amidst a bitter exchange between Mr. Blackett and a key supporter of Opposition leader Ralph Thorne.
Mr. Blackett, in a message being circulated on social media, has offered a stinging rebuke of the Thorne faction of party in which he allegedly ended by declaring that if it is war they want then it is war they can get.
The suspended DLP General Secretary also promised to fight to the death what he called a vandal group, meaning the supporters of Mr. Thorne, who Mr. Blackett allegedly describes as a divider rather than a healer.
