Gray and Duncan

Dr D.K. Duncan, who yesterday won a legal battle to remain as member of parliament (MP) for East Hanover, has said that he can now fully represent his constituency without major distractions.

Duncan's continued reign as MP was challenged by beaten Jamaica Labour party (JLP) candidate Barrington Gray who had brought an election petition against him.

Yesterday, Supreme Court judge Lloyd Hibbert ruled that the People's National Party (PNP) member should continue serving as MP when he struck out the petition. The judge, after hearing evidence in chambers, found that Duncan had not been served with the election petition.

things to do

"Now I can settle down and do the work of the constituency. There are things to do and projects to be implemented," Duncan told The Gleaner yesterday.

He disclosed that he was a bit "concerned" when the election petition was brought, but said he always remained confident that the court would rule in his favour.

Gray, the only sitting JLP member of parliament to be defeated in the September 3, 2007 general election, was seeking to get the court to count ballots that were rejected in a magisterial recount. The majority of the rejected ballots which were improperly torn were in his favour.

The judge also turned down an application by Gray's lawyers for his ruling to be appealed.