Social and political activist Phillip Edward Alexander has distanced himself from an alleged fistfight outside the Congress of the People’s Operations Centre, Charlieville, last Sunday. “I am a gentleman raised to resolve issues with my words not my fists,” he said yesterday. An investigation into the incident has been launched by COP leader Prakash Ramadhar.
But speaking via Facebook chat yesterday, Alexander said: “There was never any fight. This has been blown way out of proportion.” Asked whether he had faith in the investigation, Alexander responded: “I have absolute faith in the investigation that the political leader—not the chairman—has initiated.” It was reported yesterday that COP chairman Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan had said the incident would be investigated but Alexander did not take too kindly to same of her comments on the matter.
He said: “Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan should have known better than to be speaking out of turn, especially without the benefit of fact. The information in the public domain is entirely wrong. “Someone misbehaved and I am sure that someone will be penalised for their misbehaviour. Until then I cannot add any more until the party makes a statement.”
Nevertheless, on his Facebook timelines, in a statement headed “bending my silence” and described as a media release, Alexander expressed concern about Seepersad-Bachan’s comment that “he had been very acrimonious with the party.” Describing the statement as “unfortunate,” he said she had acted immaturely when she spoke to the media about the alleged incident. “She admits to having no facts whatsoever yet she goes ahead to infer judgments and to cast aspersions.
“Using the opportunity of an unsubstantiated rumour to attack those she considers her political enemies shows a remarkable level of immaturity, especially in light of the potential of the issue to damage the party,” he added. Alexander said the party leadership had asked him to let the relevant organs of the party deal with whatever transgressions may have occurred.
Contacted yesterday, Seepersad-Bachan said she wanted no fight with Alexander. She said she was never included in the decision to choose Alexander as “caretaker” of the Diego Martin West constituency. “Therein lies the problem of decision-making. There is disrespect to the chairman’s office,” Seepersad-Bachan said. Contacted yesterday COP’s general secretary Clyde Weatherhead said it was not true that Alexander was selected by COP executive as caretaker of Diego Martin West.
In a release last night, Seepersad-Bachan said Weatherhead had been named on an investigation committee to look into the matter.