Knight, Tufton lock horns over rally tape
Published:Wednesday | August 13, 2025 | 12:13 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
Veteran attorney-at-law and former government minister K. D. Knight has demanded a public apology from Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, threatening legal action over the use of what he describes as a “maliciously doctored” voice recording. Knight claims the clip, played by Tufton during a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rally on Sunday, was edited to falsely suggest that he opposed Mark Golding becoming prime minister.
Speaking on Radio Jamaica’s ‘Beyond the Headlines’ with Dionne Jackson-Miller, Knight called the incident a “deliberate assault on truth and democratic integrity” and accused Tufton and the JLP of political sabotage.
“I want him to apologise, and I swear when I tell you that I am going for that jugular,” Knight said.
He added that while he does not need the money, he intends to pursue damages in court and donate any compensation to charity.
The audio in question features Knight’s voice discussing divisions within the People’s National Party (PNP), referencing objections raised by some members to Golding’s leadership. Tufton claimed the recording is authentic and has circulated publicly for years.
Knight, however, insists the clip was manipulated to make it sound as if he personally believed Golding was unfit to lead.
“I have never said that Mark Golding must not become prime minister of Jamaica. I have never said that. I haven’t said it in a group. I haven’t said it in my house. I haven’t said it anywhere,” Knight said.
He presented what he said was the original voice note – which was also aired during the programme – explaining that it was sent to a WhatsApp group four years ago during internal party discussions. At the time, Knight said he was advocating unity, not division.
Despite Tufton’s assertion that the audio is genuine, Knight said this was the first time he was hearing the version played at the rally. He labelled Tufton’s behaviour as “wormlike”, expressing disgust at what he views as a calculated attempt to damage his reputation and undermine the PNP leader.
Tufton, who chairs the JLP’s campaign committee, has flatly denied any wrongdoing.
“The tape is 100 per cent genuine,” he said in a press release. “His claim that it was altered is blatantly false. If he wishes to pretend he never said it, that’s on him.”
In a follow-up interview on the same programme, Tufton said there was no difference between the tape played at the rally and the original, rejecting Knight’s accusations as “ludicrous” and “baseless”. He noted that Knight himself confirmed the voice is his and pointed out that criticisms of Golding’s leadership are not new among senior PNP members.
Tufton also warned that he is prepared to take legal action of his own if wrongly accused.
“His voice is the voice on the tape, and his articulation of people who don’t trust Mark Golding as a leader is real, as he has played, and I’m ready to defend that position anywhere, anytime, anyplace,” he charged.
When asked whether he had reached out to Tufton directly, Knight responded curtly, “Me? Spoken to Dr Tufton? I must call Tufton? Tufton must call me.”