By Omar Anderson, Gleaner WriterTHE VOTE-BUYING controversy which hit the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) following its 60th annual conference at the National Arena last year, has resurfaced, with the Political Ombudsman being asked to investigate reports of widescale bribery.
The bribery allegations were made last year following the defeat of Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, the former Deputy Leader for Area Council, who was ousted by current Deputy Leader James Robertson.
Mr. Robertson polled 584 votes to Ms. Grange's 469.
Dr. Dennis Minott, the party's caretaker for Eastern Portland, whose recent report on the performance of high schools in last year's CXC exams has triggered widespread debate, conducted his own investigations. He told The Gleaner yesterday that there was much concern about the level of corruption in the deputy leadership race.
He said his own investigations confirmed Ms. Grange's claim of massive bribery. After writing to the party secretariat, it took five weeks to reply, he said.
"At this point I took the matter to the (Political) Ombudsman who I think is legally capable to investigate the matter," he said.
Karl Samuda, the JLP's general secretary, said the entire matter was being dealt with at the highest party level. He noted, however, that the party is reviewing the appropriateness of Dr. Minott's action.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that of 27 delegates interviewed during the investigations, most of them admitted being paid to vote against Ms. Grange. Dr. Minott declined to confirm the information.
Contacted yesterday, the Political Ombudsman, Dr Herro Blair, confirmed that he was investigating the matter, but declined to elaborate on the scale of the alleged bribery.
"The investigations have not been concluded, and I'm not permitted to discuss my investigations until they are finalised and are taken to Parliament," he said.
Following last November's JLP annual conference, Ms. Grange, in a tearful exit from one of the party's top posts, after being beaten by newcomer Robertson, complained that a number of delegates in Area Council Two were bribed to vote against her.
JLP sources said following the submission of the report to the party, Dr. Minott snubbed the party's invitation to discuss the report.
For his part, Dr. Minott said he did not meet with the party as discussing the matter then was useless since he had already written the Political Ombudsman.
Contacted yesterday, Ms. Grange said she had no information to offer as she had not spoken to the Ombudsman. Mr. Robertson, when he was contacted, said his main concern was seeing to the progress of Area Two Council.
