PNP split but Campbell survives
Published:Friday | May 28, 2021 | 12:17 AMRomario Scott/Gleaner Writer
Dr Dayton Campbell may have survived as general secretary amid a developing scandal but the decision to retain him in the People’s National Party’s (PNP) senior ranks has sparked a smouldering conflict that could further torch a deeply divided political organisation.
The PNP said in a statement on Thursday that it was standing behind Campbell amid the allegations of sexual misconduct, proferred by party activist Karen Cross and two bloggers, which he has vigorously denied.
“The party stands firm in support of our general secretary as we await the outcome of the police investigation in relation to the three documents,” the PNP said in reference to affidavits filed as part of defamation defence, which cited purported testimony from women who claimed they were victimised as minors.
But all four vice-presidents of the party said during the meeting that Campbell should step aside or at least take a leave of absence.
The Gleaner also understands that PNP Chairman Phillip Paulwell was among those who did not give Campbell full backing.
One senior member of the group who had discussions on his fate on Thursday contends that the party is on the wrong path.
“We had the meeting, and it was obvious to me that some persons there – I am not going to call any names – were not so much concerned about the image of the party but rather the image of one individual, and that is not the right position to take,” the senior Comrade, who requested anonymity because of confidentiality agreements, told The Gleaner.
The individual also rubbished claims that they were advancing a plot to oust Campbell.
“That’s a fallback argument as far as I am concerned,” the PNP officer said Thursday night.
Loyalists of recently elected PNP President Mark Golding have been strengthening their armour to fight off a potential challenge in the face of lingering discontent over his leadership style.
Gleaner sources in the PNP said Thursday night that close to 300 new groups have been formed in the party since Golding took over leadership.
“They want to reverse those groups. By getting rid of Dayton, they can reverse those groups. The general secretary cannot be fired so easily. You have to move a motion and give notice, so that is why they are pressuring him to resign,” the source said.
Golding’s backers also strongly believe that as the party is about to enter the process of onboarding members of the National Executive Council, there is a wave of energy being generated to consolidate positions in the powerful body.
But as that argument is being circulated widely among those who supported Golding and Campbell in last November's internal polls, PNP Senator Dr Floyd Morris, who said he backed Campbell, has opposed the party’s position.
In a leaked voice note, a copy of which The Gleaner has obtained, Morris said Campbell should step aside in the best interests of the party.
“The best thing we can do at this time is to ask the general secretary to step aside and go and clear his name. My stance now has nothing to do with wanting to get rid of Dayton. Dayton is somebody that a like,” Morris stated in the recording.
PNPYO President Krystal Tomlinson distanced herself from the PNP’s declaration.
“My support for the PNP should not be inextricably linked to ‘standing firm’ in support of the GS (general secretary) as he seeks to clear his name of these disturbing allegations,” Tomlinson said.
“... The party/officer corps does not speak for me. I made no declaration on guilt or innocence. I make no declaration on Karen’s motives or sincerity. But Karen’s character is not sufficient for me to summarily declare, ‘KMT ... nutten nuh go so!’”
The Gleaner understands that Sophia Frazer Binns, Region Three chairman, suddenly resigned from her post on Thursday.
It was not immediately clear whether that decision was linked to the ongoing saga.