Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Blair

The Office of the Political Ombudsman is currently investigating three cases of breaches of the Political Code of Conduct in two constituencies.

The Gleaner learnt on Wednesday that the areas under investigation were North East Manchester and South East St. Andrew.

Incidents

Two incidents are being investigated in the North East Manchester constituency where the constituency office was vandalised in one instance, and in another, a shooting was reported in the area. Meanwhile, in South East St. Andrew, the Office of the Political Ombudsman is investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the constituency, earlier this month.

According to the Office of the Political Ombudsman, the investigations were near closure.

"Letters have been sent out and actions have been carried out by the office. So it (the investigations) should be closed probably in another couple of days," said a spokesperson from the office.

Meanwhile, the Political Ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, has sent a letter to Opposition Leader Bruce Golding and copied to Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in relation to easing the tension in the South East St. Andrew area.

Copies of the letters were also sent to the general secretaries of both political parties. The letters were sent to the parties last Friday. However, to date, there has been no response from either party, The Gleaner learnt.

Meanwhile, JLP candidate for the constituency, Joan Gordon-Webley, told The Gleaner on Wednesday that she has received a response from Member of Parliament for the constituency, Maxine Henry-Wilson, to her invitation for them to show signs of unity to persons in the constituency.

No need for anger

"It really involves us joining together to show the persons that we are not at war and there is no need for them to be angry. We want no one going out there throwing stones at anyone or doing anything untoward in any of us name," she said.

Mrs. Gordon-Webley said Mrs. Henry-Wilson had responded positively to the invitation but suggested that this should be done through the Office of the Political Ombudsman.

"I am going to call the Ombudsman today (Wednesday) and see how soon we can have this meeting take place," she said.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com