SEVERAL political insiders and members of the public warned Tribune journalists to “be careful” yesterday because of how certain sections of the PLP have reacted to the ongoing Dion Smith story.

One said: “You guys had better watch your backs. I don’t know what happened to the PLP since May 7, but they have been infiltrated by some pretty thuggish elements who aren’t taking the stress their Deputy Speaker has been put under by The Tribune very well.

“You guys had better watch yourselves.”

This comes after The Tribune reported that agents of the PLP have sought to use harassment and intimidation to influence The Tribune’s coverage of the claims against Mr Smith.

Soon after it came to light that Mr Smith had been accused of a “tirade” in which he is alleged to have used racial slurs and put the tenants of his building in fear for their safety, party operatives began calling The Tribune in an attempt to have the story dropped.

Then another PLP agent began harassing a Tribune journalist in a public place over the issue.

Following this, one reporter said, PLP “cronies” fabricated a claim that the story – which was taken from documents filed in the Supreme Court – was only written because of a personal issue between himself and Mr Smith.

If operatives of the Progressive Liberal Party continue to harass Tribune staff, the details of their activities will be reported to the police.