DLP stalwart ‘happy’ with Blackett’s temporary ouster

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) veteran who recently brought a no-confidence resolution against the executive council is expressing delight at Thursday’s suspension of General Secretary Steve Blackett.

Hartley Reid said on Friday that while the decision by the party’s general council – the second-highest ranking party organ – was not directly related to his motion, he thought it was a step in the right direction.

“The general council has done its [job],” he told Barbados TODAY. “So, we shall await that now. But I am pleased.”

Assistant General Secretary Pedro Shepherd announced on Thursday night following a closed-door general council meeting, that Blackett had been suspended pending the outcome of investigations into misconduct complaints made against him.

Shepherd declined to provide details but said the matter would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.

The general council was meeting for a second straight night on Friday to reportedly review its suspension decision but party officials remained tight-lipped on the development.

Reid told Barbados TODAY: “The general council has taken the steps as in our constitution. First, you suspend him from his duties, so that the disciplinary committee would meet and take whatever evidence on the matter.”

He said once the committee decides, it will return that submission to the general council for a definitive decision.

Reid explained that the executive council, which met Wednesday night on the issue, has no authority over the general council which can only be superseded by the party’s annual general conference.

“They have not heard my resolution, but at least the general council has taken the job as the second highest organ in the party,” said the DLP stalwart.

He reiterated that since handing in his no-confidence motion, he has not been officially informed as to what is being done about it.

Shepherd, who is now acting as general secretary, had also submitted a no-confidence motion in party leadership. (EJ)