Warring factions dispute who’s in charge of DLP

As the bitter, public infighting in the Democratic Labour Party deepens, the two warring factions — one backing the party leader Dr Ronnie Yearwood and surrogates for political leader Ralph Thorne, have issued contrasting statements on who’s running the opposition party.

While General Secretary Steve Blackett returned to work on Tuesday at the party’s George Street headquarters following last Friday’s decision by the executive council to endorse him and President Dr Ronnie Yearwood, Acting General Secretary Pedro Shepherd insists the two party members remain suspended as approved by the general council, the party’s second-highest decision-making body.

A statement issued by the executive council to “clarify misinformation in the public domain” declared that General Secretary Steve Blackett and President Dr Ronnie Yearwood are fully functioning.

It said: “The DLP categorically restates the position of the party, its elected leadership, and the executive council, which is responsible for the direction and management of the party. The General Secretary, Mr Steven D Blackett and President Dr Ronnie Yearwood remain in their duly elected roles as voted by the membership of the DLP in August 2023.”

The statement however reprimanded the conduct of some party members and hinted at the possibility of legal action. “We don’t condone and deeply regret the deplorable conduct of Mr Pedro Shepherd, as an officer of the party, and the others who, broke and entered the DLP headquarters on May 16, and Mr Shepherd’s subsequent utterances in the public to contravene the DLP and its Constitution. We are making every lawful effort to deal with this matter.”

But in an equally strong statement, Shepherd made clear that Blackett and Yearwood have violated their suspension.

In the latest salvo, Shepherd reaffirmed the party’s commitment to upholding its constitution and maintaining order amidst the turmoil.

He outlined that on May 9, the general council met on a complaint against Blackett stemming from his conduct at a members’ forum on April 21, which he co-hosted with Yearwood. The complaint alleged Blackett’s actions had brought the party into disrepute. Consequently, the council voted to refer the matter to the disciplinary committee and immediately suspended Blackett to facilitate a fair investigation.

“His suspension is not a disciplinary sanction, but an administrative tool used to facilitate the conduct of the investigation and the adjudication of the complaint,” Shepherd explained.

The acting general secretary added that a May 16 meeting of the general council addressed complaints against Dr Yearwood, which resulted in his suspension.

“To allow for the proper conduct of the disciplinary hearings, Dr Ronnie Yearwood was suspended from his duties as president on May 16 and was written to that effect. On Friday, May 17, Dr Ronnie Yearwood summoned an emergency meeting of the executive council of the Democratic Labour Party. His actions in summoning this meeting were in violation of his suspension. As a result, that meeting would not be considered a lawfully convened meeting of the executive council.”

Shepherd revealed that Blackett also received a warning letter for making statements to the media on May 21, and for conducting business from the office of the General Secretary despite his suspension. Both Blackett and Yearwood were reminded to return party property and were informed of the charges against them, with hearings before the disciplinary committee set for Monday and Tuesday.

In contrast, the DLP’s youth arm, the Young Democrats, expressed strong support for Blackett and Yearwood. Chairperson Tyra Trotman, along with other youth leaders, issued a statement condemning what they termed as “disorderly conduct and arbitrary actions” within the party. “The Young Dems felt it necessary to publicly support its comrades and condemn the ill-discipline lest its silence be perceived as condoning autocratic behaviour of a few misguided individuals,” Trotman said. The Young Democrats also condemned acts of vandalism at the party headquarters and stressed the importance of adhering to the party’s constitution.

“Every member knows that the DLP has a process for dealing with matters within its arms. We have looked on with shock and horror at behaviour which we would ordinarily frown upon in the society at large, taking place at our own headquarters,” Trotman added. She criticised behaviours likened to “totalitarian dictatorships” that would not be condoned.