One of the cars containing a coffin making its way through Church Street in Montego Bay yesterday, while jubilant JLP supporters show the party's 'V' sign

THE Jamaica Labour Party yesterday threatened to expel any of its members found to be involved in the storming of the Clarendon Parish Council, forcing some employees to flee the building.

"If they are members of the labour party," said JLP spokesman on local government, Pearnel Charles, "then they would certainly be operating against the constitution of the party and therefore they would be in breach, and bringing the party in disrepute. And to bring the party in disrepute means expulsion from the party. That is a standing understanding for all members."

At the same time, about 400 JLP supporters converged outside the St James Parish Council in Montego Bay, demanding the termination of some employees.

Deputy Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight (in felt hat) and other policemen guard the entrance of the St James Parish Council Building on Union Street as JLP supporters celebrated in the streets yesterday.

The labour party supporters were reacting to Thursday's election victory in which the JLP took 11 of the island's 13 councils from the ruling People's National Party (PNP) in the local government elections. There is, however, a stalemate in Clarendon as both the JLP and PNP were still tied on 11 seats each, as the Electoral Office of Jamaica began the official count of ballots yesterday.

According to the police's liaison officer for Clarendon, Constable Cornel Stewart, a mob of about 25 green-clad, bell- ringing persons converged on the council's roads and works department at about 10:00 am. The mob, some of whom were armed with sticks, he said, told employees to leave the building and some council employees were "pushed around".

"Supporters of the JLP invaded the office... and assaulted workers there, asking them to leave," Stewart told the Observer. "(They were) saying it's labour time now; and they are to leave the office now. The workers were in fear so they left. The poor relief office personnel were there too and they were asked to leave also."

The police, however, took control of the situation and the green-clad mob was escorted from the premises, Constable Stewart said.

Police then secured the mayor's office, which occupies another section of the building, in a bid to avert any similar invasion.

There were regular police patrols in the area throughout the day, and security was provided when some council employees who had opted to remain at work, left the building at the end of the workday.

The police also plan to be back in the area on Monday, Stewart said.

The labour party supporters in Montego bay, who were also clad in party colours, hurled abuses at council employees and contended that many of them were politically appointed.

"A fi wi time now, dem must go," one member of the group said.

A large contingent of police, headed by Deputy Superintendent Derrick Knight, was on hand to keep under control the high-spirited mob that later celebrated Thursday's win by trekking two coffins through the city streets as music blasted from boom boxes.

But despite the large crowd, there were no reports of violence, unlike the Clarendon scene.

Stressing that an investigation would be launched to ascertain whether the members of the marauding Clarendon mob were JLP supporters or members, Charles made it clear yesterday that that type of behaviour would not be tolerated.

"We are not going to allow these people to believe that their behaviour is supported, in any way, by the executive of the labour party," he told the Observer.

"The JLP condemns outrightly any attempt of any mob to invade any office in the name of, in support of, or seeking support from, the labour party. We will not allow anybody to misuse the name of the labour party or its leaders in such behaviour," he added.

In addition to the expulsion of any JLP members found to have been a part of the mob, he said, supporters found to be involved would also be dealt with.

"If they are supporters, they will be reprimanded and be told under what conditions the labour party will accept their support," he said.

Charles, in the meantime, appealed to the public not to use yesterday's actions to condemn the JLP.

"We are asking that people do not use the behaviour of such people to judge the labour party, to judge its stance on discipline or otherwise," he urged.

And while he had not yet received an official report on the incident, Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair, yesterday condemned the storming of the Clarendon Council.

"If anything of that sort did happen it must be condemned," he said. "We can't let it go by unnoticed. We can't tolerate irresponsible behaviour although people are celebrating their victory at the polls. It must be condemned and the law must have its course."

The fear factor

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS