The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement has gone silent on the status of its tribunal investigation into the dissident seven MPs, although the tribunal is expected to update the party’s Central Council on its investigation during its monthly meeting on the last Thursday of each month, according to a source familiar with the matter.

When contacted, senior FNM officials have been tight-lipped about the investigation, often expressing a desire to not prejudice the investigation.

Nonetheless, one well-placed source in the party told The Tribune yesterday that party officials feel no pressure to “rush” to complete the investigation quickly, fearing that any such decision would only cause the controversy to flare up again at a time when the party wants to focus on the next general election.

“To deal with it now,” The Tribune’s source said, “gives unnecessary publicity and puts (Loretta Butler-Turner) in the forefront. The whole row will be in the papers. We prefer to let her self-destruct. (The tribunal) ain’t in no rush. If she decides to nominate herself against the party (as an Independent), then she would automatically kick herself out of it.”

The source said an announcement of the tribunal’s decision could come “after the election.”

The FNM has not revealed which party members comprise its tribunal.

The FNM has never expelled a member from the party before. Nor has it ever completed a disciplinary proceeding. Some members of the party, including chairman Sidney Collie, has acknowledged that implementing the disciplinary process for the first time with such a high-profile case poses a challenge.

The Tribune’s source said it is even doubtful the tribunal will meet the “rebel” seven to discuss their actions with them.

One of the dissenting seven, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, appeared to be unconcerned with the disciplinary proceedings yesterday.

“October 2 is the last time I’ve been in the FNM headquarters,” he said, repeating the line when asked if he would participate in a hearing before the tribunal.

“Why do I need to go back there? What the FNM does doesn’t matter to me.”

Mr Chipman recently revealed he is considering running as an Independent candidate in St Anne’s.