Crime clash over politics

The police say investigations so far do not link the Monday night killing of a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) worker in Clarendon with politics, as Prime Minister Andrew Holness accuses the People’s National Party (PNP) of deliberately trying to cause problems.

Holness’s claim comes as he and PNP leader Dr Peter Phillips are due today to sign the Political Code of Conduct to symbolise their parties’ commitment to an election free of violence and intimidation.

“The investigations are showing otherwise,” said Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, head of the police communications unit, on Tuesday night when asked if political motivations were behind the killing.

Paul Henry, 36, a worker for the JLP in the battleground constituency of Clarendon South Eastern, was reportedly shot dead outside his Rocky Settlement gate after putting up a billboard.

Speaking to journalists after being nominated on Tuesday for the September 3 general election, Holness said that Pearnel Charles Jr, his party’s candidate, viewed the killing as politically driven.

“Last night (Monday night), very late, I got a text from Pearnel Jr about the murder of one his workers. Pearnel being a lawyer was very careful not to ascribe blame, but it was very clear that he was deeply hurt and that he holds the view there is some kind of political motivation behind it,” Holness revealed.

However, Lindsay said the police are investigating whether a conflict between Henry and fisherfolk in the area was reason for the shooting.

“There was a conflict where he was actually threatened. They (investigators) are following some leads, and at the moment, it is not pointing to a politically motivated matter. However, it is still a wide, open investigations,” she told The Gleaner.

Lindsay said that police presence has been increased in the Rocky Point area to prevent any reprisals.

Commenting generally, Lindsay said that there have been no “major incidents that have caused any alarm or concerns” so far in the election campaign.

But the PNP has hit back, saying Holness is making accusations without evidence and could be treading down a dangerous path.

“I think it’s a baseless comment,” said Julian Robinson, the party’s general secretary of Holness’ assertion.

“I know the prime minister has gone into areas where he has been greeted by PNP supporters who, in our view, have acted in what I would say is a campaign spirit. They have their brooms, they have their flags.”

Noting that the party has encouraged supporters to uphold the law, Robinson said that Holness should be careful in suggesting that the PNP is being provocative.

“It is dangerous because in our political climate and culture, it might trigger people taking things into their own hands. I think the prime minister has to be careful in those utterances, particularly coming from him and where there’s no evidence to support what he’s saying.”

Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown says her office has received 10 complaints since the announcement of the polls on August 11.

About 40 matters have been before the office since January 1.

Holness was among 139 people nominated on Tuesday to contest the country’s 18th general election set for September 3.

The JLP and the PNP each entered a full slate of candidates to contest the elections in the 63 constituencies.

The remaining 13 candidates will contest the election independently, the Electoral Office of Jamaica said.