Cops threaten to pull plug on campaigning in WC St James

published: Thursday | August 23, 2007

Adrian Frater, News Editor
Western Bureau:

Supt. Steve McGregor, the head of the St. James Police Division, has threatened to pull the plug on political campaigning in West Central St. James, should there be a repeat of Monday's ugly face-off between People's National Party (PNP) and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters in Montego Bay.

"I have written to the two candidates warning them that the police will not tolerate that sort of behaviour," said Superintendent McGregor. "I have told them that we intend to maintain law and order and, if it means pulling the plug on campaigning, we are prepared to do just that."

Tempers flared and blows were reportedly thrown when supporters of the PNP's candidate, Francis Tulloch, and his JLP counterpart and fellow attorney-at-law Clive Mullings, crossed paths while campaigning in Catherine Hall, a known JLP stronghold, shortly before 6:00 p.m.

During a verbal exchange between the candidates, in which Mullings allegedly told Tulloch that he was not welcome in Catherine Hall and should leave, a female JLP supporter reportedly kicked a male PNP campaign manager and a fracas ensued. The police had to be called in to restore order.

Behaved quite badly

"Based on the reports I received from my officers, one of the candidates behaved quite badly and was most uncooperative," said Superintendent McGregor. "That is not the kind of behaviour I am expecting and, should it happen again, I will definitely exercise my option to stop all campaigning in the constituency."

Responding to the claim that JLP supporters tried to prevent the PNP candidate and his supporters from entering Catherine Hall, Superintendent McGregor said both parties should be free to conduct their campaigning without interference.

"I don't know of any garrisons in St. James so this sort of behaviour is not what I would expect," the superintendent said. "I hope that having written to the candidates outlining our expectations, we will not see a recurrence.