NDP activist clashes with Assistant DPP

An exchange of insults between the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin John and New Democratic Party (NDP) activist and radio host Margaret London escalated into a nudge and a poke last Monday outside the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

The altercation began shortly after Magistrate Bertie Pompey made the decision to recuse himself from hearing a case which involves NDP politician Benjamin Exeter and student Shabazaah George.

Pompey decided to step aside following an application for him to do so, made by defence lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne, based on comments he (Pompey) had made during the trial.{{more}}

This trial has seen numerous adjournments since the duo’s first court appearance in January. Members of the public, some of whom appear to be supporters of the NDP, have been present at these hearings and would sometimes gather outside and hurl insults at the witnesses and prosecutor, as they made their way into and out of the court.

On Monday, shortly after John wrapped up an interview with reporters, he and London got into an exchange of words, referring to each other as stupid and doltish.

It is not clear what started this particular verbal exchange, but SEARCHLIGHT became aware of it when John told London that she only “gets fame” by making negative remarks about him on her radio programme ‘Night Nurse’, broadcast on Nice Radio on Wednesday nights.

As the two began walking away from the court, John was one step ahead of London when he said, “That’s your only claim to fame, yo stupid self.”

London responded, “Yo getting fame for stupidity, you so blasted doltish, yo so stupid.”

At this point, John nudged London with his elbow, as he paused and turned abruptly near to a gutter at the side of the road.

“You wah push me over dey?” London exclaimed, while clenching her umbrella and poking John in his back with it.

“Yeah, if again,” John replied.

“You know who you dealing with?” London retorted.

Lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne, who was leaving the area in her vehicle, then pulled up alongside the two and made a joke with London about the media being present.

London pointed out that John had “hunched” her when one reporter who was filming the dispute asked her to “leave the man.”

“…He hunching me, and war hunch me. He hunch me, so you ain’t see when he hunch me…?” the agitated woman said.

John then entered his vehicle and left the scene, while London relayed what had happened to the crowd outside the court.

The case involving Exeter and George would resume when a new magistrate is appointed to hear the matter. (AS)