By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
FNM Deputy leader Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday said she was compelled to apologise for slapping PLP MP Dr Andre Rollins after realising that such actions went against the grain of what she stands for.
Speaking to The Tribune, the Long Island MP said her conscience would not allow “comfortable living” with knowing that certain behaviour portrayed her in a negative light.
A formal apology was given by both Mrs Butler-Turner and Dr Rollins during the morning session of Parliament after the incident that occurred on Wednesday. She maintains that she slapped the MP after she had asked him to remove his arm from around her and he did not. While Mrs Butler-Turner claimed Dr Rollins made lewd remarks to her moments before, he insisted that he did not act inappropriately.
“My conscience is much bigger than any career I might have,” she said, “at the end of the day if it impacts me in a negative way then so be it (but) I can’t live with knowing that maybe I did something that other people look upon. Children are looking too and this essentially goes against the grain of all that I say I stand for.
“I was not in a good position and it is not a position that I would like to present to the public, especially to our young people and those people who look up to us and me in particular.
“I offer my sincere apologies to the young people of the Bahamas, the women of the Bahamas and the men of the Bahamas.”
Dr Rollins later explained to Parliamentarians that he wanted to clear up “any perceived wrong” over the incident.
He said: “I want the record to state that at no time contrary to what is being alleged in the public domain I made any lewd remarks to the Member for Long Island. Unfortunately there was apparently a feeling that there was a need to get to the matter from a public relations stand point and try to shape the matter.
“I find it most regrettable that it happened the way it did and I hope nothing further will cause to distract from the important business that is being conducted now as we debate the budget.
“I am compelled to apologise to the constituents of Fort Charlotte for any perceived wrong. It was never my intention to cause the people of Fort Charlotte any embarrassment as a result of my representation of them.”
Comments
Interesting 10 years, 11 months ago
I commend Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner for her actions. I would be greatly disappointed in her if she failed to slap him on behalf of all women. “No” means “No” and “Stop” means “Stop”. This is the very reason why this is one of the most under-reported offenses that few want to discuss openly because it does happen often on the job.
No matter what men folk say of how the MP should have handled it, it is still “sexual harassment” in the work place. This causes a hostile and uncomfortable work environment. The Fort Charlotte MP was warned and he continued. Most men who behave in this manner actually act as if they are doing someone a favor and how dare one not appreciate what they think is a flattering form of attention.
Unwanted touching is violating one’s personal space and the person doing the touching needs to be called out for it. Why should this be dealt with in privacy so this person who feels so entitled can move along to make another person the target?
Unacceptable behavior that must be addressed immediately includes physical threats, abusive language, offensive jokes, put-downs and intimidation tactics. Many times the offender takes advantage of committing these offenses in isolation. But there are those who are bold and have the nerve to do this in public with an arm around you and whispering in your ear.
This should not be tolerated and this is the perfect forum to suspend or terminate the offender. This would be the perfect example for others to see how the work environment protects the workers of the government and all its people. Be and show respect for your colleagues especially when you are in the public eye.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID