Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

People's National Party (PNP) heavyweight and former finance minister Dr Omar Davies is urging Comrades to tone down the rhetoric in the lead up to the September 20 presidential election.

Davies, a well-respected member of the PNP's intellectual wing, gave Team PNP a boost on Sunday when he publicly announced his endorsement of party president Portia Simpson Miller, who is being challenged by Dr Peter Phillips.

Endorsement

But Davies told The Gleaner yesterday that his endorsement was not designed to put down Phillips.

"I'm saying that we have two excellent candidates but only one can become president," Davies said.

He said he decided to support Simpson Miller after a close look at the merits of the two candidates.

"The challenge you have to face is that you look at each person's assets, you look at the deficiencies and select the one you can work with to bring out the best for the party," Davies added.

With charges of vote buying and claims that Phillips supporters have been threatened with expulsion among other allegations marring the campaign, Davies admitted he was disappointed with the tone adopted by some Comrades.

Dirty tricks

But he argued that the two leaders have remained above the dirty tricks and would each have a role in the party after the election.

"Neither candidate has partici-pated in that (mud slinging) and what they need to do now is to bring their supporters in line," he said.

Davies said he has condemned the below the belt attacks from both sides and will be working behind the scenes to ensure that this does not continue.

"I will not be campaigning and I am prepared to work with the winner for the principles of the party," Davies said.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com