DLP takes action against Stuart

Less than a month after being elected, young politician Kemar Stuart has been suspended as General Secretary of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and as President of its Youth Arm, pending the outcome of a marijuana possession charge against him

Well-placed sources have revealed that Damien Griffith who was defeated by Stuart in the party’s internal election last month is now acting General Secretary and Vice President of the Young Dems, Shaquani Hunte will act in his stead.

Less than two weeks ago, the 25-year-old appeared in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court charged with possession of a quantity of marijuana. Stuart had already pleaded not guilty to the matter that originated in October 2018.

When the matter was initially reported by this newspaper on October 13, DLP President Verla DePeiza promised that Stuart would not be left “out to dry” by the party.

Barbados TODAY however understands that shortly after the news broke, Stuart was asked to resign. According to sources, when he refused, an emergency meeting of the executive council was called on October 12.

They [sources] explained that the party’s constitution does not address the issue of executive members facing criminal charges. Consequently, the council created a new rule based on article 33 of the DLP’s Members’ Passbook, which facilitates the creation of new rules to address matters not covered in the constitution.

Barbados TODAY has learned that despite efforts reportedly made by Stuart to convince his comrades that he should be treated as innocent unless otherwise proven in court, he was issued with a letter on October 14 sending him on leave as General Secretary and President of the Youth Arm.

Sources confirmed that Damien Griffith was chosen as Stuart’s replacement because he amassed the third highest number of votes for General Secretary at the party’s internal elections last month. Henderson Williams, who garnered the second-highest number, was not considered for the post because he is currently serving as party treasurer. It is however unclear why Deputy General Secretary Pedro Shepherd has not assumed the role.

“We have said all that we have to say on that issue. We don’t have anything more to share with the media,” DePeiza told Barbados TODAY when pressed about the developments.

When contacted, Stuart declined to comment on the matter.

The decision to suspend him from the two positions has cast a shadow over his term because by the time of his next court appearance in March 2021, half of his tenure would have already expired. It has also reportedly raised concerns among some in the party who believe that Stuart has been treated differently than other more senior members who have faced similar situations.

The quantity of marijuana allegedly in Stuart’s possession was not specified on the police charge sheet and he is neither accused of having intent to supply or trafficking the illegal drug.

Late last week, party member and former Member of Parliament Hamilton Lashley in his analysis of the situation suggested that there was “more in the mortar than the pestle”. He also warned party leaders against hurting Stuart’s political career by imposing punitive measures prior to an official court decision.

“I think a lot of it is politically motivated too. I want to know why is this happening at this time when there is a by-election happening in St George North? He lives in St George North also, so I want to know if there is more in the mortar than the pestle.”

The developments are unfolding even as the Prime Minister Mia Mottley administration moves to amend the Drug Abuse Act. Under the amendments, citizens will no longer be criminally charged with possession of 14 grammes of cannabis or less.

Other party members who requested anonymity pointed to former Speaker of the House of Assembly, attorney-at-law Michael Carrington who was allowed to continue serving under a DLP administration after being dragged before the Supreme Court for withholding client funds.

Others recalled DLP President Verla DePeiza’s promise to back former Commerce Minister Donville Inniss when he was first charged with money laundering in the United States of America in 2018.

“It has not yet been ventilated by any court I am aware of, and up until such time as that happens, he remains in my eyes, in the party’s eyes, and should also in the public’s eyes, innocent until proven guilty,” DePeiza said at the time.
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)