By Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer

ANOTHER MAJOR controversy has erupted within the ranks of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) with leadership contender Pearnel Charles charging last night that the delegates' list to be used in the party's November conference has been rigged.

Sources described last night's Standing Committee meeting at the JLP's Belmont Road headquarters as nothing short of pandemonium, with some members walking out of the room.

The Gleaner has been reliably informed that following Mr. Charles' accusation last night, JLP general secretary Karl Samuda has withdrawn André Franklyn as deputy general secretary in charge of administration.

"I am frightened to know that within a few minutes after an item was discussed in a Standing Committee (meeting) that it could be transmitted to the media," Mr. Charles said in response to Gleaner queries last night. "I believe at this stage the matter is purely internal and I wish not to comment further," Mr. Charles said.

COURT ACTION EXPECTED

Sources last night said news of the reported delegates' list being rigged could be the subject of a court action to halt the holding of the November conference, which Mr. Charles has been pushing since Hurricane Ivan. The decision to go ahead with the conference was taken Sunday at the party's Central Executive meeting.

Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda told The Gleaner late last night that he revoked Mr. Franklyn's appointment, as he felt in the interest of party relationships, that position would be more enhanced with the appointment of Joel Williams to that post.

Sources also told The Gleaner that Mr. Franklyn charged last night that Mr. Samuda was upset that he did not, as he (Samuda) had reportedly requested, support him to become Opposition Leader when Edward Seaga's resignation becomes effective.

However, Mr. Samuda denied this claim last night.

The Gleaner is satisfied that any inference or innuendo in the said article that Mr. Franklyn knew of, or was party to any “rigged list” is entirely false and regrets any such inference or innuendo.