MONTEGO BAY — People’s National Party chairman for Region Six, Derrick Kellier, has staunchly defended Montego Bay mayor Hugh Solomon, who was last December accused of assaulting party activist Roy ‘Tenny’ Miller.

The incident is said to have taken place during a party at the PNP’s Ironshore office and Miller has instructed his lawyer to file civil suits against Solomon as well as the member of parliament for West central St James, Arthur Nelson. He has accused the mayor of assault and the MP of defaming his character.

But on Thursday, Kellier, who is also the state minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, charged that Miller was a “dramatist” who may have imagined the incident.

Miller, who is off the island, could not be reached for comment.

“People were at a fete enjoying themselves and some of the accusations may well be the figment of Mr Miller’s imagination,” Kellier told the Observer. “I spoke to him just before he left and I saw no physical evidence of any harm done to him. But I think some of it may have been his imagination. He may have had a little too much to drink.”

Kellier also dismissed calls for Solomon, who is seeking to replace Nelson in West Central, to face disciplinary action from within the party. According to him, an investigation needs to be conducted to determine if the allegations have merit.

“Those people (who say Solomon should be disciplined) are speaking without the facts and they should try and ascertain the facts before they shoot off their mouths,” the area chairman said.

He added: “I was there and in so far as I know, I saw nothing that indicated that Miller was attacked. If it happened it would have happened behind my back. I don’t know about the entire incident but he made a claim that he was hurt in the eye. I saw nothing like that place and he never told me anything of the sort.”

According to Observer sources, members of the PNP hierarchy have expressed concern about the negative impact the infighting will have on the party which will go to the polls this year. Kellier sidestepped that issue but admitted that the party would have preferred the problem resolved privately.

“Certainly we are upset about the whole issue being played out. Mr Miller is a dramatist you know. For those who know his background, they know he’s a dramatist and he’s very skilled at putting plays together and this one is no different,” he charged. “But the party would prefer if whatever is to be done would be done outside the glare of the press. I am sure whatever misgivings or misunderstandings there are, we can settle it without him trying to dramatise the whole issue.”