KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – Colin “Hitman” Graham, the radio announcer who admitted last week that he has abused his girlfriend, will no longer contest the upcoming general election as a candidate of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP).
“The New Democratic Party has accepted the offer by Colin Graham to withdraw from consideration as a candidate for the party. The decision comes after discussions between Graham and the leader and other members of the executive of the party,” the party said in a statement issued Wednesday at a news conference here.
“Graham has stated that, in light of recent public comments about matters relating to his personal life, he does not wish to hinder the activities and work of the party or to be a distraction to its agenda for change.”
The announcement comes just over a week after the party announced that Graham had passed the first stage to become its candidate for East St George in the next election.
His candidacy would have pit him against the Minister of Economic Planning, Camillo Gonsalves, son of Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and heir-apparent to the leadership of the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP).
“We have heard Graham’s public statements of remorse and responsibility and his declaration and willingness to seek the necessary help personally. We fully support his wish to address his own personal challenges and urge the support and encouragement of the wider society to help him to succeed.
“The NDP takes the opportunity to thank Graham for his forthrightness in the matter and wishes him the best in whatever rehabilitative measures he may seek. He can be assured of our continued encouragement,” the party said.
Graham’s political run, announced last week, was a series of false starts after his girlfriend, Iyah Jacobs, earlier this month post on her Facebook page that she had been abused by the radio announcer. She later deleted the post.
But last Thursday, Graham, in an interview on a local radio station admitted that he had abused his girlfriend and publicly apologised to her.
Graham announced on his Facebook page Monday that he had been suspended from his work without pay and he had been sent on 30 days leave.
Jacobs, in an interview on Tuesday, they both needed help.
General elections in Vincent and the Grenadines are not constitutionally due until March 2021, but the NDP has said it believes that Prime Minister Gonsalves will call a snap election this year. The party is basing its position on continued success in the two petitions that it has filed challenging the results, in two constituencies, of the December 2015 general elections.
The ULP won the December elections by an 8-7 margin for a fourth consecutive term in office. (CMC)
