"The investigation relates to allegations of unprofessional conduct in transactions which took place some 15 years ago," claimed the JLP as it provided more information than Prime Minister Bruce Golding gave to Parliament or the police gave the media.

Satisfied with explanations

"The party has discussed the matter with Mr Hibbert and is satisfied with the explanations that he has provided," the JLP added in a release issued late yesterday.

"On the basis of those discussions, the party is also of the view that there was no impropriety on the part of Mr Hibbert and takes the position that the ultimate determination of the matter will take place in the courts," the JLP said.

Hibbert has been in the House of Representatives since 2002 when he defeated the People's National Party's (PNP) Oliver Clue to grab the East Rural St Andrew seat for the JLP.

He retained the seat in the 2007 general election and was appointed a state minister.

Before entering active politics, Hibbert developed a stellar reputation in Jamaica's engineering industry and served as chief technical director in the Ministry of Construction and Works under the PNP administration between 1989 and 2000.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com

Meeting with the police

Joseph Hibbert was among the last few parliamentarians to leave Gordon House, even as darkness fell over Kingston last evening. He would not speak to the media but his attorney, Ernest Smith, MP for South West St Ann, spoke on his behalf.

"We are meeting with the police tomorrow (Wednesday) to ascertain the reason for this search and what it is that they are looking for at a time when he was in fact a member of parliament and not working at the ministry," Smith said.

He added: "On the face of it, it relates to a case that is going on in the United Kingdom. But certainly, based on a judgment that I have read today in relation to the case, in which Mr Hibbert's name is not even mentioned, there is certainly no allegation of misconduct."

The following is the relevant section of the Mutual Assistance (Criminal Matters) Act

Section 23:1 Request by a foreign state for search and seizure

Where:

(a) a proceeding or investigation relating to a criminal search and matter has commenced in a relevant foreign state;

(b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that an article (not being tainted property) relevant to the proceeding or investigation is located in Jamaica; and

(c) the relevant foreign state requests the Central Authority to arrange for the issue of a search warrant under this section in relation to that article, the Central Authority may authorise a police officer to apply to a Resident Magistrate for the search warrant requested by the relevant foreign state.