By Lynford Simpson, Staff Reporter 
Blair
BISHOP HERRO Blair, the Political Ombudsman, says he may seek a ban on the public placing of party flags and graffiti as a means of easing rising political tension.
He says his office has to-date received between 10 and 15 complaints, most of which are related to problems involving supporters of the two major political parties - the ruling People's National Party and the opposition Jamaica Labour Party.
Three of the complaints are being investigated, including Wednesday's incident in Mitchell Town, Clarendon South East, where a clash between PNP and JLP supporters left several people injured and houses smashed. The violence continued into Thursday.
Noting that most of the incidents stem from clashes between party supporters, Bishop Blair said he would consider a ban on flags, the wearing of masks and body protrusion from vehicles that form part of political motorcades, which he said are intimidatory.
"These are things that we will have to address. I will be discussing them with the (leadership of the) parties before taking a decision," he told The Gleaner yesterday. Also, he will discuss the painting of graffiti on public places, which was said to have been at the heart of Wednesday's incident in Mitchell Town.
Asked if it would be difficult to get party supporters to conform, the Political Ombudsman said: "We say we want peace and we will do anything to maintain the peace. We have just celebrated 40 years as a nation and what we do in this election will be a legacy to our children...We need to demonstrate to the world that we have grown up".
With investigations still on-going, he has not yet determined what he will make public. He has already received a "verbal report" from the investigator who was sent to Mitchell Town yesterday. He expects a written report by Monday.
Bishop Blair disclosed that he had received letters on the incident from Mike Henry, (JLP) MP for Clarendon Central, and from Mr. Spencer. He said the letters were seen as complaints and the investigation process was then set in motion.
A meeting of the Peace Management Initiative which is chaired by Bishop Blair, is scheduled for this morning and it will decide whether the PMI will go to Mitchell Town, he said.
