By Omar Anderson, Gleaner Writer 
Bovell (left) and Dear (right)
MAJOR JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) financiers are reportedly 'upset' with the continuing squabble inside the party, but the extent to which their discomfort may result in them withholding funds to the party is still unclear.
On Friday, JLP Treasurer Christopher Bovell said the current standstill in the JLP could have far-reaching effects.
"As far as I'm concerned what is happening in the leadership race between Mr. Charles and Mr. Golding is an absolute disaster for the party in every possible way," Mr. Bovell told The Sunday Gleaner.
ONGOING QUARREL
For the past two months, there has been an ongoing quarrel in the JLP over the authenticity of the delegates list, which should have been used on November 6 to determine whether party Chairman Bruce Golding or Pearnel Charles would lead the JLP.
However, nearly two weeks ago, Mr. Charles filed an injunction in the Supreme Court, resulting in the cancellation of the JLP's annual conference.
While refusing to give exact details of the extent to which the party's finances might have been affected, Mr. Bovell stated that the ongoing squabble has damaged the party's relationship with its donors.
"I don't think it (the quarrel) is hurting them (the financiers), but it's upsetting them to the extent that they support the JLP and they are sorry to see what is happening," he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Noting that the current impasse was "very, very unfortunate", the JLP treasurer said, like a number of other supporters, he is "extremely upset" and "distressed" that a resolution still cannot be found.
Yesterday, Montego Bay businessman Winston Dear, who has contributed to the JLP in the past, said he was "very upset" about the aborting of the annual conference and "the manner in which it was done".
"Right now, I certainly wouldn't want to give any substantial money to either side (Bruce or Charles), because I don't think the (leadership) issue has been handled very professionally," said the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce president.
According to him, the JLP is not united and he would not be inclined to give any financial aid to support the party's quest to "run this country."
"I don't think at this stage they (JLP) are presenting the image of a viable alternative government," Mr. Dear remarked.
EMBARRASSED
Meanwhile, another businessman and JLP financier who did not wish to be named, confirmed he was embarrassed by the leadership debacle, but noted however he would continue to fund the party.
"I'm dismayed that these
difficulties could have played out in such an unwarranted way," he stated. "But this should not deter anybody (financier) who really has the interest of the party and the country at heart."
On Wednesday, November 3, this year, Mr. Charles filed an ex parte injunction resulting in the cancellation of the annual conference. In his motion, he contended there were some 2,000 illegally added voters on the
delegates list that should have been used in the election of a new party leader.
But lawyers representing Mr. Golding and General Secretary Karl Samuda who, like party leader Edward Seaga, were named defendants, unsuccessfully tried to get the motion set aside to have the conference go on as planned.
The lawyers then tried to challenge the Supreme Court decision in the Appeal Court, but were also unsuccessful.
The parties are to return to court on December 14 and 15 when the matter is expected to be heard again.
Up to press time, The Sunday Gleaner was unable to contact Mr. Golding and Mr Charles for comment.
