Former politician Joseph Hibbert is dead

Joseph Hibbert, the former State Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Works, and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew is dead.

He died late Saturday in the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) following a reported heart attack.
Hibbert was elected as the Member of Parliament for East Rural St.Andrew for two terms between 2002 and 2011. Dr Horace Chang, JLP  General Secretary described him as a mild mannered but strident politician. He said the party will be honouring the years of service by Hibbert in due course.

Chang also addressed the controversy which surrounded Hibbert over the Mabey and Johnson scandal. Hibbert's political career took a big hit in 2009 when news broke of the Mabey & Johnson Limited issue.
It was alleged that he was bribed by the company for his support in obtaining contracts from the Jamaican government.
However despite the allegations, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) ruled in 2010 that there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal proceedings against him.       Chang said the late MP was full of integrity.

“I trusted his integrity and that was Joe’s feature…..so I found it quite strange when it was alleged that he was involved in this ….” He said.