FNM ‘outraged’ over ‘false’ report that Dr Minnis attempted to expel four MPs

FNM CHAIRMAN MICHAEL PINTARD.

As of Tuesday, February 2, 2016

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard yesterday said the party is “outraged” at the “false assertion” that party Leader Dr Hubert Minnis attempted to expel four FNM parliamentarians at an emergency executive meeting on Monday night.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Pintard said the “tone of the discussion was insisting the FNM functions as one organisation” and to specify that “no one member of the party is bigger than the organisation.” He stressed that no issue of expulsion, suspension or disciplinary action against MPs was ever raised at the meeting.

Dr Minnis also referenced the report at an FNM event at Sadie Curtis Primary School last night, telling supporters not to believe everything that they read.

On Monday night, sources alleged that a motion was raised at the meeting to expel St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner for demanding that Senator Lanisha Rolle publicly apologise for her “unprovoked and extreme” criticism of FNM parliamentarians, which they said had left many FNM supporters “dismayed”.

In a statement issued on Sunday - days after Dr Minnis urged party members to keep issues internal - the MPs said FNM supporters throughout the country “are waiting to see if Dr Minnis and Senator Rolle will act in an appropriate, collegial and responsible manner on this matter of principle and proper conduct by the Official Opposition.”

Mr Pintard was adamant that there was no discussion of expulsion or suspension of the MPs in question, who were not present; however there was talk about the statement issued by the parliamentarians that went against the views of the FNM’s Executive Committee and the Central Council.

Mr Pintard told The Tribune that it was also made clear at Monday’s meeting that there would be no public apology from Mrs Rolle and the matter will be dealt with internally.

“The subject of suspension or expulsion never arose, it was never even brought up,” Mr Pintard said. “The leader did not raise the matter. Dr Minnis’ position was and is that it is important to consistently demonstrate a united front, which means that the party not only speaks with one voice but that everyone acts in concert with each other, despite whatever view they may have.

“The tone of his discussion was insisting we function as one organisation, exercise discipline in public announcements and how we behave. It was also stressed that no member of the party is bigger than the organs of the party or the party as a whole. Those organs called for one course of action and it is expected that everyone comply with that course of action. In terms of punishment for the MPs in question there was no discussion about that. We had a lot of urgent matters to address and we addressed them.”

As it relates to the apology the four MPs were seeking, Mr Pintard said the executive board “reaffirmed the position of the leader” and no apology will be made publicly.

“There will be no further discussion of this matter in the press. An apology was made internally and the executive reaffirmed Dr Minnis’ position and so that has been unchanged,” Mr Pintard said.

“There is no concern that any member of the FNM cannot bring to the party. The leadership is committed to working through any difference to ensure we hold the government accountable. We are concentrating on life and death issues; these are the matters that we wish to occupy our time and energy. Everything else is secondary.”

When contacted for comment, former Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette expressed shock at the allegation that Dr Minnis talked of expelling party members. Mr Symonette, who was at Monday’s meeting, said whoever circulated the rumour must have been “in a different” place than he was.

Mr Symonette added that the FNM is making progress on its issues, telling The Tribune the matter “involving Lanisha Rolle is long past”.

Two weeks ago, Senator Rolle called a radio talk show to criticise members who did not support their leader, claiming some sitting MPs were “jealous” of the favour which Dr Minnis has with the voters. She also said that Mrs Butler-Turner, who Dr Minnis defeated in a leadership contest in 2014, would not get support from the electorate to become a potential prime minister.

Last week, Dr Minnis released a statement calling for unity and urged party members to keep issues internal, but did not condemn Senator Rolle for her remarks, saying there were no irreconcilable differences in the FNM.

sheeprunner12 8 years, 3 months ago

I agree with this story ............. the Tribune is taking part in biased reporting on the FNM leadership conflict .......... we must be blind not to see this political agenda at work ...... and so is the Guardian ................ where is the professional investigative journalist reporting??????

Publius 8 years, 3 months ago

The Tribune needs to learn its lesson from this. The Guardian as well. Stop running planted stories and do your job as journalists. It was only a matter of time before this sort of thing would blow up in the media's face. Do your jobs and this is far less likely to be the outcome.

TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago

Oh yeah Comrades now that everything is clarified - what a wonderful world it is under red tent - Sung by Chairman Michael Pintard.

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proudloudandfnm 8 years, 3 months ago

I heard the report was reliable and I heard it from very reliable sources. Of course the FNM will deny it.....

But here is the facts.

As I type the only support Hubert Minnis has in the HOA is:

Edison Key - Full on PLP Andre Rollins - 3/4 PLP Renward Wells - Full on PLP Peter Turnquest - Who?

There is your FNM team in the HOA.....

Yeah let's put Minnis in the PM office.....

Publius 8 years, 3 months ago

I think every right-thinking person knows that Minnis is a disaster. That does not excuse false reporting by the press in the country. This isn't the first planted story of course by the nation's press and certainly wont be the last - and that's the national problem that extends far beyond personal feelings, however legit they may be, about an individual.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 3 months ago

I formulate my opinion watching the most right thinking

proudloudandfnm 8 years, 3 months ago

I dont think this was a false story...

FadeToBlack 8 years, 3 months ago

This was not a false story which I know for a fact. I have always been a strong FNM supporter and this was confirmed to me by an inside source within the party. I'm not quite sure why we keep trying to spin the disaster which is the current leader.

moncurcool 8 years, 3 months ago

Let me put my conflict of interest out there squarely. I support the FNM.. But i have never heard such crap as this in all my life. A member of the party blasts out others members publicly, and you say it was dealt with internally and privately. Apparently not, if people are asking to have a public apology. That is nonsense. If you blast someone out publicly, tarnishing their reputation and character, then you should deal with your so call private apology publicly. . I am just disheartened that every time the leaders in a party i support get the opportunity to do the right thing, and take the higher road as leaders, they show that they are just as bad or even worse than the PLP.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 3 months ago

That's the truth

banker 8 years, 3 months ago

The anti-Minnis rhetoric by the rabid LBT supporters is useless. You een gittin nowhere with yer "Minnis een no leader" cry. Carry on smartly. The lot of you will be left sitting on curb, either by Minnis when he wins or by the PLP when they win because your asinine lack of clarity. Do you think that when a football player doesn't like his coach, he tries to get the coach replaced? Nope you buckle down, everyone works for the team. None of you know the concept of team, or have any real loyalty to the party, if you are an FNM supporter. You have loyalty to a ego maniacal gussie mae with an overblown sense of how important, effective and intelligent that she is. And you have the same problem as her. Teamwork wins, and right now, its time to shed the team member who aint pulling their weight.

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by banker

Voltaire 8 years, 3 months ago

The story isn't true because Minnis and his people said so? Come now, The Tribune is not perfect, but i would trust them over Minnis and Pintard any day. The truth will out in the end.

Publius 8 years, 3 months ago

No, it is not true because those who were present confirmed that it isn't true, and I am referring to persons who are not team Minnis at all and never have been. The persons responsible for this planted story were boasting about their latest pathetic exploits that while seemingly are doing wonders for their narcissism, are doing nothing beneficial for their party or the country. Minnis is a teeming waste of political space for sure, but the role of the media in a nation is supposed to trump agendas of anyone who might wish to use the media to accomplish his or her own ends. The media is supposed to be a watchdog, not a lapdog.

TruePeople 8 years, 3 months ago

or the truth may never (publicly) come out.... this is the Bahamas after all

Voltaire 8 years, 3 months ago

Banker: 1 internal struggle, even in the public sphere, is good for democracy. 2: I don't care what you say, I am never, ever rallying behind this:

“Many bad things have been said about me. One thing you will always remember they have said repeatedly that I have no charisma. I want to inform you tonight I looked up the definition of charisma. Charisma is the ability to attract someone to you. Tonight I want to inform you that I have been able to attract my wife to me for 40 odd years and she is still attracted to me.” - Dr Hubert Minnis.

killemwitdakno 8 years, 3 months ago

Thing is knowing Minnis he probably wasn't joking..

Publius 8 years, 3 months ago

TalRussell 8 years, 3 months ago

Comrades the reds they'll say that gossip comes from the devil's (Tribune's reporter's) workshop. And I say, by only making the same damn set dexterous House MP's demanding Senator Lanisha does go public in apology - only likewise after going public about your scheming ways of demanding HM's Bahamaland's representative, HE da Governor-general is to acts in removing HM's Official Opposition Leader Minnis - can you red House MP's make the Tribune stop and go away.
Can you believe some reds have even consulted with top brass libel lawyers to sue the pants off the Tribune and 'others'?
And, they say it is PM Christie who is the one that most wants place a lock and chain on freedom of speech.

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by TalRussell

Greentea 8 years, 3 months ago

My question is- Who makes up the executive council? are you telling me that the sitting members of parliament for a party who are the official opposition are not members of this council? at least 4/5 of the ten were on record as not being present. What sense does that make? Were they not informed about the meeting and if not, why not? Especially if you are about unity. something isn't right here.

Sickened 8 years, 3 months ago

That is a great question, to which I would love to know the answer. Seems like the people on the front line of politics (i.e. those in the HOA) are in the very back (i.e. not even invited to the party) of the political party they represent. It's crazy how this party seems to function (or not function).

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