Enquiry boils over

Lightbourne reveals 31-year grudge against Knight, bringing early end to Manatt sitting

Gary Spaulding and Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writers

Security personnel had to rush in yesterday to quell a flare-up among rival political party officials and supporters before the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry was brought to a screeching halt inside the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, yesterday.

The disruption was sparked by a claim by Justice Minister and Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne that the attorney for the People's National (PNP), K.D. Knight, had more than three decades ago declared that "all Labourites fi dead".

No solution

Three disruptions within a 45-minute period marred the afternoon session, with no solution to what threatens to become a major standoff between the two senators.

The last of the premature adjournments brought the day's proceedings to a close with no indication of a resolution before the enquiry resumes this morning.

Knight described Lightbourne's claim as an egregious lie, possibly intended to put him in danger.

He told The Gleaner after the enquiry that he would be taking steps to bolster his security in anticipation of any threats resulting from the divisive accusation.

Asked how he planned to proceed, Knight said: "We will know when the minister (Lightbourne) comes tomorrow."

Earlier, addressing the commission at the adjournment, Knight had declared: "If tomorrow morning (today) the matter is not resolved in a way satisfactorily to me, then there will be some difficulty in proceeding."

Minutes before, Knight and Lightbourne had been summoned to in camera discussions with the commission as Chairman Emil George sought desperately to bring an end to their impasse.

But during that break, Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson found himself caught up in a face-off with representatives of the PNP.

As the confrontation between Nelson and the vociferous Comrades escalated, the police came streaming in, but the angry exchanges did not immediately cease.

The tension of the day, characterised by unending acrimonious exchanges between Lightbourne and Knight, reached the boiling point when the attorney general, who has been in the witness seat since last Thursday, made the accusation against Knight during his cross-examination.

Immediately after the lunch break, Knight demanded a withdrawal and apology from Lightbourne for her statement, which he said he had been told about by colleagues but did not hear when originally made.

As he brought the issue to the attention of the commission, a stoic Lightbourne, her eyes fixed straight ahead, did not refute the claim.

"What is reported to me is that the minister of justice and attorney general said that I have said, 'All Labourites fi dead'. It is an egregious lie. It is an evil statement and I believe probably motivated to jeopardise my security," Knight declared as he denied he had ever made such a comment.

On returning from a subsequent break requested by Lightbourne's attorney Dr Lloyd Barnett to speak with his client, the attorney general confirmed she had made the claim against Knight.

Lightbourne said Knight made the comment soon after the Jamaica Labour Party's win in the 1980 general election.

Knight again demanded a withdrawal and an apology, which were not forthcoming from Lightbourne.

"He passed the chair where I was seated, kicked the chair and said, 'All Labourites fi dead'," claimed Lightbourne.

"Since then, I have never dealt with him," she said, after apologising to Chairman Emil George and the commission because "it was inappropriate in the context of this commission".

An incensed Knight refused to accept the apology triggering a further disruption in the enquiry's proceedings.

"In 1980, 31 years ago, I am alleged to have said that to Senator Dorothy Lightbourne? And passed and kicked a chair?" asked Knight incredulously.

"And between 1980 and 2007, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne and myself have greeted each other, I would almost say warmly, on a number of occasions when diplomats and people have their cocktail parties and so on."

He added: "In 31 years, this is the first time I have heard it. Where were you sitting? You can't recall so many things in here and you remember what happened 31 years ago, that I kicked a chair? Where were you sitting?"

Lightbourne claimed she had gone to Knight's chambers for lunch when he passed by, kicked the chair and made the comment.

"Since then, I have never, never dealt with Mr Knight. This is why (at) these proceedings I do not address him. I do not speak with him, have nothing to do with him," said Lightbourne, who has made little eye contact with the PNP's attorney over the past four days.

Lightbourne's statement triggered applause from JLP supporters in attendance, many of whom later rushed out of the conference room when the police descended.