DR Christopher Tufton yesterday expressed concern over a decision by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to suspend activities related to the selection process for a new St Catherine West Central candidate and expressed hope for a swift resolution.

“I want the process to be free and fair, and free from fear and I’m anxious to engage in that process, but it’s concerning that the process is being delayed,” Tufton told the Jamaica Observer.

On Monday night the JLP announced that its Selection Committee decided to discontinue all activities related to the selection process at a review meeting.

According to the JLP, the decision was taken in order “to preserve the cohesiveness and good order of the constituency”.

The decision comes after Tufton almost took the issue to court on the basis that the delegates’ list was not clean.

The claim was that people who have never worked for the party were being added to the list.

“Ninety-seven names were added to the list, and from that number there were more than 50 who have never been registered workers of the constituency,” one JLP insider told the Observer last week.

“The way people have been selected for the list is a breach of party procedures,” the insider added.

Faced with that claim, the JLP postponed the selection set for last Sunday to find a replacement for Dr Ken Baugh who has decided not to contest the next general elections.

Tufton, a former parliamentarian and Cabinet minister, and Councillor Devon Wint are vying for the seat. Attorney Kent Gammon was also a candidate.

On Monday, the JLP said it would be embarking on a series of meetings with workers and stakeholders to discuss the issues involved.

Yesterday, Tufton said that the JLP’s constitution was clear as to how delegates and party workers are qualified to participate in the selection process.

“We have expressed some concerns about that and we hope that our concerns will be taken on board and a resolution found sooner rather than later,” he said.