Warm welcome for Hammie

The pats on the back, firm handshakes and hugs were abundant yesterday at the final day’s proceedings of the Democratic Labour Party’s 55th annual general conference.But unlike most years, they weren’t just for delegates or members of the head table.These, pats, handshakes and hugs were for one man: Hamilton Lashley.Lashley, the Member of Parliament for St Michael South East, brought smiles to the faces of hundreds at the George Street Auditorium, as the party wrapped up its in-house matters for 2010.Lashley had been at home resting and recuperating for the past three weeks, after escaping with just a broken hand and soft tissue injuries from a fatal car crash that claimed the life of his chauffeur Sylvester Browne.Dressed in a blue shirt-jack suit and still wearing a thick cast up to his right forearm, Lashley sat in the front row as Acting Prime Minister Freundel Stuart delivered his feature 90-minute address to party faithfuls.So inconspicuous was Lashley that Stuart completely missed his presence as he said a prayer for the MP and fellow DLP member Cranston Browne, who is also on the mend after brief hospitilisation.“Well we are glad he is here. We are very glad to see him back,” Stuart said, after the audience indicated to the head table that Lashley was, in fact, in attendance.“I am glad to be here,” Lashley told the DAILY NATION. “God has spared my life, and I am gracious for the opportunity He has given me,” Lashley said in a voice barely above a whisper.The St Michael South MP said he would continue to “take it easy” as his body heals.