Party sheds light on expulsions

The attempt to form a new political entity using the resources of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) during an unauthorised meeting on August 8, was among the charges brought against former president Dr Ronnie Yearwood.

Acting president Andre Worrell, in a livestreamed member briefing on YouTube last night, read out a laundry list of charges laid against both Yearwood and former general secretary Steve Blackett, and sought to clear the air on why the General Council took the decision to expel them last Thursday.

Third vice-president Felicia Dujon said there were calls, emails and some came “with tears in their eyes”, querying whether the decision to expel the two members was too punitive. She said internal matters had to remain so but the briefing was held so that “no propaganda would allow you to be deceived”.

Worrell said the attempt to form a new political entity allegedly unfolded during a meeting on August 8, called by Blackett, who was suspended from party duties since May 16.

Among the charges: “Namely, the proposal that the property of the DLP at Kennington, George Street, St Michael, be appropriated for the purposes of a new political party to be established and titled The Democratic League.

“That the said meeting amounted to a conspiracy to abolish and/or eliminate, and/ or create a competing policies party to the DLP using the property and the resources of the

DLP.

“The Disciplinary Committee heard the complaint at its meeting. They also examined evidence, witness testimony and they deliberated and came to a unanimous decision that Dr Ronnie Yearwood should be expelled from the party. They made their recommendation to the General Council, and the General Council at its meeting on 16th of August . . . ,” Worrell explained.

Those against Blackett included withholding correspondence, using derogatory language towards political leader Ralph Thorne, the unauthorised tabling of a no-confidence motion against Thorne without prior knowledge of the General Council, unauthorised interviews with the media and bringing the reputation of the DLP into disrepute, among others.

Worrell noted both Yearwood and Blackett were first asked to appear before the Disciplinary Committee at the end of May, but after member Ricky “Laker” Williams brought an injunction against the DLP, this was suspended until that matter was settled.

Once it was finished, the pair was again summoned to appear before the Disciplinary Committee on August 6, but failed to do so. However, the committee met to hear the charges laid against Yearwood and Blackett.

After the process – which took over two months – was explained by Worrell, Dujon said given this “damning report” it was important for the members to stand in support of the General Council and the Disciplinary Committee

to protect the image of the party which had a structure in place to guide their actions.

She said this decision was not easy to make because these were individuals they worked with and voted for, but the DLP “upholds accountability and transparency”.

The DLP’s annual conference begins on Friday.

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