I have forgiven her, says KD
Published:Sunday | March 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
... Knight says Christian ethics 'compelled' him to forgive Lightbourne
Patrina Pink, Gleaner Writer
Dorothy Lightbourne shocked many Jamaicans when she testified that she had not spoken to People's National Party (PNP) lawyer at the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry, K.D. Knight, for over 30 years because of comments made a long time ago.
"All Labourite fi dead," Lightbourne said Knight told her over three decades ago. That statement could be the root of a legal battle, but K.D. Knight insists, "I have forgiven her".
Knight said that though he had been receiving dozens of calls from colleagues suggesting he should sue Lightbourne, Christian ethics demanded that he turn the other cheek.
"I am a Christian … . My Christian ethics have compelled me to forgive her and let the issue die," said the former minister of security. He says he is no longer interested in an apology from Lightbourne.
The lawyer and member of parliament for East Central St Catherine said that he always knew Lightbourne "had a problem with the truth". He said this was evident from his observations of her behaviour in the Senate, as well as at the commission of enquiry. However, he said he was shocked that her comments would descend to such a level. "I didn't expect the intensity of that statement," Knight said.
RELATIONSHIP UNCHANGED
When asked if he thought that Lightbourne's statement would inflame party supporters and perhaps start a chain of violence, he said that was a possibility, but only among "fringe elements" in the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).
Knight added that his relationship with JLP supporters had not changed.
"I will still have my Christian Bible studies, and when I play dominoes with my friends, some of them will still be Labourites," said Knight.
According to the long-time politician, Jamaicans have matured politically, and he believes that party violence may in time become a thing of the past. Of clashes among PNP and JLP supporters, he said: "We have seen dramatic improvements over the last few years. It's certainly gotten better."
He says he wishes that Lightbourne would follow the tides of the time and "be more responsible" in her statements.
"They know the truth is coming out," said Knight. He believes that Jamaicans are being enlightened by the commission, and were seeing that Christopher Coke's extradition case was privileged "not because of his constitutional rights, but because of his political connections".
Knight has also refused to comment on reports that his security detail has been beefed up since Lightbourne's statement.