CISOCA discusses Wint with Chang
Published:Monday | January 11, 2016 | 12:00 AMGary Spaulding
General Secretary of the Jamaica Labour Party, Dr Horace Chang, says he has been contacted by personnel from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) in relation to Devon Wint, the councillor for the Point Hill division of West Central St Catherine.
Chang told The Gleaner yesterday that CISOCA has made contact with him twice but he was not at liberty to divulge details of the conversation.
"I have been contacted by the department, yes, but it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time," said Chang.
The Gleaner reported last week that Wint is exploring his legal options with respect to allegations levelled at him late last year ahead of his removal as the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) standard-bearer for West Central St Catherine.
Wint was selected to represent the JLP in the upcoming general election following a disruptive contest that was marred by protests.
Allegations began to swirl after the JLP leadership retrieved the seat that was vacated by veteran politician Dr Ken Baugh and given to Dr Christopher Tufton.
In a close selection contest, Tufton polled 196 votes to lose by 15 votes to Wint, the councillor of the Point Hill division, who received 211 votes.
Gleaner sources disclosed that while the situation is fluid, Wint, who has not been seen in public since he was replaced, is not focusing on being displaced as the JLP representative.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
The source said Wint has retained the services of high-profile attorney K.D. Knight, who told The Gleaner that he could not comment on the matter at this time.
Party insiders told The Gleaner that they expected no further challenge to Tufton, whose entry into West Central St Catherine threw the constituency into turmoil.
It was in November that the leadership of the JLP scratched Wint from the slate of candidates after a meeting at the party's Belmont Road headquarters in New Kingston.
Party insiders told The Gleaner that the senior party members were troubled that Wint had initially rejected an overture by the JLP leadership when he was asked to quietly step aside.
It is understood that Wint rejected the suggestions as disturbing allegations against him raged in the already tumultuous West Central St Catherine constituency.
"He is claiming that he is innocent, so there is no need for him to resign," said one party member.
The development comes as the outgoing member of parliament for West Central St Catherine struggles with health challenges that have the party concerned.