Ian Hayles confident seat safe

WESTERN BUREAU:

Embattled Member of Parliament Ian Hayles has expressed confidence that his constituency of Western Hanover is a "safe seat" for the Opposition People's National Party (PNP).

"Whether it is a general election, by-election, eventualities whether in my dream or awake, this constituency will always remain in the column of the People's National Party," Hayles told jubilant supporters during a rally in Orange Bay on Sunday night.

"If the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party) could not beat us in the best of times for them in 2007, how can they beat us in the worst of times now? Western Hanover rejected the JLP in 2007 and we will do so again."

Hayles is at the centre of a dual-citizenship case which was brought against him by JLP caretaker for Western Hanover, Donovan Hamilton.

Hamilton filed an election petition alleging that Hayles had United States citizenship when he was nominated for the September 2007 general election.

Hayles has vehemently denied the claim, arguing in his defence that he had renounced his American citizenship long before he was nominated. The matter is set to be heard on July 21 in the Supreme Court.

The Western Hanover MP also used the meeting to lash out at Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who he says has suggested that he was neglecting the constituency.

Hayles said that despite "political victimisation", he has been able to execute several projects in his constituency, including road rehabilitation, scholarships, water supply, and a housing assistance programme.

Senior colleague and PNP senator, K.D. Knight, was also on hand to lend support to Hayles. Knight, in his stinging criticism of the JLP administration, said the $800-million rehabilitation of a kilometre of roadway in Christiana, Manchester, was "a national scandal and a monumental disgrace".

He said he looked forward to the investigation into the project by Contractor General Greg Christie and would be watching the developments closely.

"I'd like to know who they bought the land from. I'd like to know who are the contractors (and) I'd like to know who approved the $800 million," Knight declared.