The Attorney General’s son Carlyle Bethel was among a number of individuals informed by police last night they would face action over a rules-breaking wedding which took place in Nassau last Friday.
The Tribune understands police officers called at a number of individuals’ homes to serve citations of the wedding which was attended by numbers far in excess of those allowed under emergency orders.
A police spokesman told The Tribune late last night: “I can confirm that we have cited a number of people who attended the wedding and we are looking for the remainder. This activity includes the Attorney General’s son.”
Last night’s move by the Royal Bahamian Police Force will go a long way to silence criticism that those who attended last Friday’s event were brazenly flouting the emergency regulations.
Earlier yesterday, Carlyle Bethel, who is also the president of the Free National Movement’s Torchbearers Association, issued a half-hearted apology for attending the wedding in which he acknowledged his attendance may have been a bad example.
In a statement released on social media, he said: “I have seen the front-page article with a photograph in The Tribune of today’s date concerning my attendance at a wedding on Friday, 6 November, 2020.
“I want to state emphatically that I had no part in planning and executing the wedding. I apologise if my judgment to stand in the wedding has caused any disappointment or concern.
“This COVID-19 pandemic is very serious. Have seen first-hand some of its devastating effects on lives through my outreach and community service efforts to assist those in need. I believe that if we all do our part and assist others, then we can make it through this together.”
The groom in the wedding was Xavier Knowles, a Ministry of Health communications officer.
The Office of the Prime Minister did not grant an exemption for the event to take place with more than ten attendees. Photographs of the event which were circulated widely on social media showed attendance well in excess of regulations.
Earlier yesterday Duran Saunders, chairman of the Progressive Young Liberals, the youth arm of the Progressive Liberal Party, said the event was an example of double standards. He said images of the wedding on social media show there was “blatant violations of existing emergency orders and safety protocols.”
He asked: “Did the organisers and participants secure permission for the numbers or were they claiming special privileges as political insiders due to their political connections?
“This is the kind of double standard that has dogged this FNM administration from the start of this COVID-19 pandemic. One set of rules (for) them and their cronies and another set of rules for everybody else.
“On the issue of health and safety, attendees were seen not wearing face masks and not practising social distancing in clear violation of the rules.
“As a health official, one would think that this social event would be in compliance with the protocols established by the competent authority upon consultation from the Ministry of Health (Knowles’ place of employment).
“The newspaper story confirmed that the Competent Authority did not grant permission to have this event with the number of people in attendance.
“This matter requires further scrutiny and must be addressed by the police. How do you expect other Bahamian citizens to follow the law when the people communicating the message are flaunting the law?
“I refer to the arrest, prosecution of and fine of Marvin Joseph who was only seeking to provide for his family. As national youth leaders, we must set the right examples for our fellow brothers and sisters to follow and abiding by the laws is a good place to start.
“Knowles and Bethel are sending the wrong message: their behaviours were both lawless and corrupt and do not engender public confidence,” he claimed.
“This also clearly demonstrates to the Bahamian people that members of Minnis’ own camp don’t support the measures and protocols put in place by their leader.
“Mr Competent Authority and Mr Police Commissioner, we the Bahamian people would like to know how this matter will be resolved.”
Dr Minnis announced in the House of Assembly last month that residents can now call confidential hotlines to report people hosting social gatherings. Nonetheless, an eyewitness to Friday’s gathering said even though she contacted police after noticing the event, officers did not disrupt proceedings.
Comments
Amused 3 years, 5 months ago
Please maybe a PR stunt? And who's to say these fines will actually be paid and not wiped from the system because of a call to someone at headquarters demanding the removal of the fine because of the dont you know who I am factor
themessenger 3 years, 5 months ago
"“This COVID-19 pandemic is very serious. Have seen first-hand some of its devastating effects on lives through my outreach and community service efforts to assist those in need. I believe that if we all do our part and assist others, then we can make it through this together."
Seriously?? That's your get out of jail free alibi,youse hang wallpaper for a living ay?
joeblow 3 years, 5 months ago
It is the INCONSISTENT application of the law that causes problems. Despite the citation, nothing may come of this
bahamianson 3 years, 5 months ago
no it will not go a long way because the Police are disgusting. The police are only acting after the fact!! They do nothing when politicians and connected people do wrong.The police simple do not act. All people should be treated the same. This is disgusting and the opposition should not let this be swept under the rug. This guy might be active in politics , and the opposition should push back against this feeling of superiority. let's not forget brave Davis' move when he got the corona virus. That is another wrong to the bahamian people. Politicians and connected people are no different than the common man whom voted them in!!!!!! All of the attendees including the bethell guy should have written on their police record or their passport that they broke covid 19 protocols just like the person circulating around social media.
yari 3 years, 5 months ago
They were at the scene. I passed two cars at the location speaking to a young lady with a waiter looking on. The citations should have been issued then. Now they will get tossed out.
tribanon 3 years, 5 months ago
A shame it took prodding by many to get the full story with names from The Tribune.
thomas 3 years, 5 months ago
This is disgusting. If they knowingly defied the order to have this wedding, they enjoyed a party. Imagine the photos we didn't see. They should all be fined and made to quarantine.
yari 3 years, 5 months ago
The worst part is that the groom works in communications for the Ministry of Health and decided to break all the rules when he was instrumental in communicating them to the public. He needs to be suspended without pay as a reminder that he should set a better example.
thomas 3 years, 5 months ago
Hmmm, I wonder how is it that these children of politicians have "cushy" government jobs. We the taxpayers take good care of politicians.
BONEFISH 3 years, 5 months ago
It is what it is. Did not the commissioner of police say that?
In the Bahamas, the poor and unconnected are expected to follow the rules. Not those other people. Get it.
Bahamabird 3 years, 5 months ago
The Emergency Powers Order allows for the rich and poor to be treated differently - see page 30 of the latest Order. You can pay a fine and not even go to court and have no criminal record. THIS is criminal. The AG may have had his son in mind when writing law for the rich, selfish and privileged. I would like to see young Mr. Bethel's criminal record! Young Mr. Bethel is a criminal according to the Competent Authority.
trueBahamian 3 years, 5 months ago
So, we gave the Communications Officer from the Ministry of Health, strike one and the son of the AG (strike two). This is ridiculous. Then the PM has the nerve to go on tv and blast the rest of the country about non-compliance. Mr. PM get your house in order.
John 3 years, 5 months ago
Whoever thought in The Bahamas, friends band family could not be together to support one of the happiest occasions (weddings) or even the saddest occasion, to mourn and mark the passing of a loved one. At their funeral. How have things changed. But it has been proven and well documented, that large gatherings become super spreader events for the Corona virus and can even result in the grave illness of persons who attend or even the deaths of persons who did not attend, but came in contact with at least one person who did. In the United States, daily new cases have been over 100,000 for over a week now, and the mass, non-mask wearing rallies hosted by Donald Trump, must be included among the super spreader events that have contributed to the super surge in Corona cases. So as this country goes into one of the most festive periods of the year, starting with the Us Thanksgiving, thru Christmas and even the end of one of the most ‘needing to forget quickly’ years in recent times, how do you convince Bahamians NOT to have large gatherings. Even ones that include ‘just family’. Even just immediate family. Some experts are already advising to limit celebrations, including dinners to members of the household, and even then have as many as the activities as possible outside. They also suggest keeping windows open and events can be shared with extended family and friends via Zoom or other platforms. And, of course, there are those who live to go house hopping during this time, to share gifts, for food or even drinks. As records reflect, there have been surges after every holiday and proper planning should limit the number of people visiting your homes.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 5 months ago
all I have to say is remember the "Inspector Smith dog and pony show
John 3 years, 5 months ago
Are the unusual numbers of Bahamians being found dead or unresponsive in their homes or elsewhere replayed to the Corona pandemic? RIP Banister.
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