SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Evon Redman and officers of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP) all refused to comment.

However, there was overwhelming evidence yesterday that Redman, a Santa Cruz businessman, had been approved by the party’s executive to be the standard-bearer for St Elizabeth North Eastern in the next general election.

Reports yesterday said Redmanhad been endorsed during a meeting in Kingston following the withdrawal of Member of Parliament Raymond Pryce from a contest with Redman for the support of delegates.

A court injunction secured by Pryce supporters, which effectively blocked a delegate selection scheduled for last Saturday in Santa Cruz, is known to have shocked and angered the PNP hierarchy. That apparently influenced Pryce’s decision to withdraw.

A source told the Jamaica Observer last night that a court hearing scheduled for today will still take place but is not expected to go any further.

A statement sent out by the PNP late Monday night on behalf of Pryce read: “In light of recent developments within the political organisation of the constituency of North Eastern St Elizabeth and the serious implications that have arisen, I have decided to withdraw my name from the selection process.

“I will therefore not be available to stand as a candidate for the People’s National Party when the next general elections are called. “I remain a loyal member of the People’s National Party and subscribe to its principles and ideals.

I thank the people of NE St Elizabeth for their support and will continue my strident representation on their behalf and in their interest until a new representative is elected.”

While Redman and members of the PNP Secretariat kept sealed lips yesterday, they would have been well aware of the tough job ahead in uniting St Elizabeth NE ahead of elections.

The difficulty of the task for the PNP was underlined when this reporter was angrily ordered to leave when I visited the constituency office in Santa Cruz shortly after 4:00 pm yesterday. Hostile Pryce supporters apparently felt my coverage of the ongoing news story had been biased against the MP. “You do not belong here! Go!” I was told.

Television reports last night also showed angry Pryce supporters threatening to withhold their votes if he was not returned to the seat.

Prior to the news yesterday that Redman had been approved by the PNP executive, there had been rumours and speculation of a compromise candidate being introduced in a bid to seek unity and end the bitterness in St Elizabeth NE.

Mayor of Black River and chairman of the St Elizabeth Parish Council Everton Fisher and former chairman of the PNP’s Region Five (St Elizabeth and Manchester), Wensworth Skeffery were names mentioned.