Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Elections Candidates, Regional, Western
Garfield Myers | Observer Writer |

myersg@jamaicaobserver.com

 
December 7, 2011

‘Kibber yuh mouth’, Knight tells Holness

BLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth — LAWYER and St Elizabeth election co-ordinator for the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) KD Knight says Prime Minister and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Leader Andrew Holness should stay quiet in relation to the Trafigura scandal, which dogged the PNP in the final year of its administration, ending in 2007.

Addressing party supporters in Black River late Monday, Knight said while Jamaicans knew that the PNP had received “a donation” from Dutch company Trafigura in 2006, the JLP had remained quiet about the source of funding to acquire the services of law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, which lobbied the US Government in relation to last year’s extradition of former West Kingston don Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke.

“I heard Samuda (JLP campaign director Karl Samuda) on radio. He says JLP has money. Well, we know that in 2006 Trafigura gave the PNP some money, we don’t know in 2011 who has given money to the JLP, we don’t know,” he said.

“Bruce Golding instructed the JLP to hire Manatt, Phelps and Phillips. When we asked who paid the US$100,000 to employ Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, he says he can’t tell us so we don’t know. Some people have some view as to who paid that money to lobby on behalf of ‘Dudus’, but we don’t know,” Knight added.

In the circumstances, he said Holness should “kibbah (close) yuh mouth, don’t talk about it again (because) if you talk about it again there is more I have to say”.

The JLP, including Holness, has repeatedly accused the PNP of corruption and a “cover-up” surrounding the circumstances in which the Dutch company handed over $31 million to the PNP for its 2007 election campaign. The matter is currently before the courts.

Both political parties have said they support, in principle, the concept of party finance sources being declared, but they have also pointed to difficulties, including the reluctance of donors to have their identities revealed because of the perceived political climate in Jamaica.

Knight roused laughter and cheers from the large crowd in Black River by boasting that he had been responsible for the resignation of former Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the ousting from the Cabinet of former Justice Minister and Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne because of their perceived missteps in the handling of the Coke extradition and related matters.

He also reminded them that he had called for the dismissal of former National Works Agency executive Patrick Wong and the resignation of former Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry because of the scandal surrounding the running of the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme.

Further, Knight said he had been unwavering in his calls for the JLP to call elections “this year, not next year”.

On Sunday night, Holness announced the dates for nomination of candidates as December 12 and December 29.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Latest News, News
48-hour curfew extended in sections of Richmond, St Mary
July 14, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica –  The 48-hour curfew imposed in sections of Richmond, St Mary has been extended. The curfew  resumed at 6:00 pm on Monday, July 14,...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Irate residents protest poor state of Sandy Gully
Latest News, News
WATCH: Irate residents protest poor state of Sandy Gully
July 14, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Angry residents of Waterhouse, Seaview Gardens and Riverton City mounted a road‑side protest on Monday at the Sandy Gully Bridge o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Golf View Hotel second iteration of Genesis to feature Chef Oji Jaja
Latest News, News
Golf View Hotel second iteration of Genesis to feature Chef Oji Jaja
July 14, 2025
MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Golf View Hotel will present the second staging of its seven-course fine dining wine paired event, Genesis, featuring multi-...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
West Indies all out for 27 as hosts suffer whitewash against Australia
Latest News, Sports
West Indies all out for 27 as hosts suffer whitewash against Australia
July 14, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AFP) -- Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc produced a devastating opening spell as the West Indies were demolished for 27, the s...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Road deaths surge pass 200 – ITA
Latest News, News
Road deaths surge pass 200 – ITA
July 14, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica - The number of people killed in traffic crashes on the nation’s roads since the start of the year has now surpassed the 200-mark wi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Starc rips through hapless Windies to push host to brink of defeat
Latest News, Sports
Starc rips through hapless Windies to push host to brink of defeat
July 14, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc ripped through the West Indies top-order to leave the visitors on the brink of a lop-sided victory i...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $161.09 to one US dollar
Latest News
Forex: $161.09 to one US dollar
July 14, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Monday, July 14, ended trading at $161.09, down by ten cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Five firearms, ammo seized in St James
Latest News, News
Five firearms, ammo seized in St James
July 14, 2025
ST JAMES, Jamaica- Five firearms and several rounds of ammunition were seized by the police during an operation in Hendon Norwood, St James on Sunday....
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct