Coke had 'don' status - Golding

CHRISTOPHER 'DUDUS' Coke was yesterday described by Prime Minister Bruce Golding as a man who wielded considerable influence in Tivoli Gardens, a stronghold of Golding's West Kingston constituency.

"He was a benefactor ... . He was typical of what is called dons, wielding a considerable amount of influence and being held in significant esteem," said Golding in response to queries from his attorney, Hugh Small.

Golding told the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry that he was introduced to Coke when he went into west Kingston to be Member of Parliament in 2005.

He said after he was elected MP, he met Coke occasionally in Tivoli Gardens.

This is a diversion from the claims of other senior Cabinet members and stalwarts in the Jamaica Labour Party who gave evidence at the enquiry.

Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne, the national security minister, and Daryl Vaz have denied knowing Coke, saying most of their knowledge of the man emanated from media reports.

- Gary Spaulding