By KHRISNA VIRGIL
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
RYAN Pinder, Member of Parliament for the Elizabeth constituency, yesterday accused opposition representative Richard Lightbourne of spitting on his father in an act of extreme victimisation.
Claiming he was told of the assault by first hand witnesses, Mr Pinder said the incident came as a consequence of his father, Leo Pinder's decision to run with the PLP and not with the UBP.
Mr Pinder said: "I am told of a story where after a heated election campaign during the election court the very member opposite for Montagu (Richard Lightbourne), presumably because my father was a white PLP who had cut his professional teeth on Bay Street, committed one of the most disrespectful acts that a man could commit against another. That same Member, Mr Speaker, spit at my father."
His family was then ostracised from living and earning a fair wage, Mr Pinder said.
Mr Lightbourne, who is the sitting MP for the Montagu, constituency then stood on a point of order on the grounds that Mr Pinder had been misinformed.
"Elizabeth probably didn't get it correct. I have never ever spat at his father, I don't know where he got that from," Mr Lightbourne said.
He then called for the Speaker of the House, Kendal Major to have the allegation withdrawn.
When ordered to do so, Mr Pinder said he would not and repeated that his statement was the account of witnesses.
Mr Lightbourne, who again stood intent on making another point of order was then commanded to sit down by Mr Pinder who attempted to move forward with his contribution.
The Speaker again order Mr Pinder to withdraw his statement: "Unless you have proof, you would have to withdraw."
Interrupting the Speaker, Mr Pinder said he would not. He again stated that he was merely recalling a first-hand account reported to him, something that would hold as evidence in the court of law.
Deputy Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis, who was the MP for Cat Island and Rum Cay at the time, then stood and claimed that he had seen the incident.
Mr Davis said: "I too remember very well the hostility that was demonstrated because we were in court together at a time where the member's father - the seat, having won it - was challenged.
"Noel Roberts, I was his lawyer, and the hostility displayed against Mr Pinder.
"Mr Pinder to this day withdrew from public life because of that.
"The member from Montagu was a part of that. I saw you."
Mr Lightbourne then repeated to the House Speaker that he was still waiting for the withdrawal.
The Speaker, who again called for Mr Pinder to withdraw the statement said Mr Davis' account did not speak specifically to the incident.
Mr Pinder then withdrew and continued with his parliamentary address.
Comments
MartGM 11 years, 10 months ago
smt, this is what is being discussed in the HOA. Real issues next time. Thanks!
NoellePina 11 years, 10 months ago
Really?! With EVERYTHING that's happening in Nassau this is what's being discussed? Ryan, that's OLD NEWS. Talk about the ISSUES man. Not this old foolishness.
proudloudandfnm 11 years, 10 months ago
What an iditoic thing to bring up in the HOA!!! Seems we're to be inundated with nothing but unsubstantiated accusations frmo the PLOP for the next 5 years! Think it's about time they stop playing the victim and get to work on running the country... If they can...
242 11 years, 10 months ago
DPM Davis Should be more concerned about this
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2012/m...">'Brave' and his link to Salsa Beach
PKMShack 11 years, 10 months ago
More of nothing to distract their followers from taking on the promises they stated to their voters. Bad part is most of their supporters won't hold them to a higher standard. Do they think the bags of NOTHING will replace their agenda and the promises made. Once again the classic PLP, Talking about everything other than what need to be discussed. I am sure TAL RUSSEL WILL SEE THIS REPORT AS BIG NEWS...........Get to the country's business.
Ironvelvet 11 years, 10 months ago
OMG we are talking about something done to his father of which he wasn't present for....hearsay? Ryan Pinder is definitely living up to the nasty personality I heard he was. My goodness, its the house of assembly, show some professionalism for goodness sakes!! How is this related to a speech from the throne! And white PLP, they all white Pinder, Lightbourne etc. So what's race got to do with it?
PLP een serious man! You were elected for a specific job description and cat like behaviour like school children shouldn't apply.
spoitier 11 years, 10 months ago
He is trying to plant bad seed against Mr. Lightbourne and I think it work because voters could see Mr. Lightbourne as a UPB loyalist and only change party because he had no choice, also Ryan Pinder is showing that his family repented from being part of the UPB without force. One could say that is old news but he still get something accomplish by doing it.
concernedcitizen 11 years, 10 months ago
with all due respect ,what did he get accomplish,,,the UBP was forthy five years ago ,,we have had majority rule since 1973 ,,,the old ubp don,t even control the majority of the wealth anymore ,,,there about 10%of the pop ..theres the williams ,the finlynsons ,t wells , etc etc ,,they are the power brokers now ,,or are we saying that black bahamians are inept and after 45 yrs they are still controlled by 10% of the population ......anybody that works hard and gets some education can get ahead in our country ,black ,white or purple ,,man if you got to go back to the ubp to make a point what have we been doing for 45yrs
spoitier 11 years, 10 months ago
I'm not denying that this argument is petty, but what i'm saying is that he got more out of it than most of these other argument like who bribe voters because certain things is acceptable in Bahamian society, everyone knows bribery is wrong, but it is still acceptable and most people believe that both parties is doing it anyway. Scandles like what Shane Gibson had with Anna Nicole Smith is also acceptable in Bahamian society so talking about those stuff doesn't make sense, but when you bring up old wounds like the UPB and show someone who was associated with it, and try to convince people that this man didn't really change his stripes, that could hurt Mr. Lightbourne with the old voters because most Bahamians don't forget.
Oracle 11 years, 10 months ago
Hon Minister Ryan Pinder....this is disgraceful and merely reiterates to the Bahamian people that you are about YOUR OWN AGENDA and not the Bahamian people.....they expose themselves so early ....how can you expect better later.....
bahamiangal 11 years, 10 months ago
Seriously???!!!! Shame on you Ryan Pinder for being so tacky. Focus on the real issues and stop wasting people's time.
TalRussell 11 years, 10 months ago
Astonishing how you red shirts Comrades show up in force whenever someone dares to switch the light on your past? Where were the voices when one of your red shirts attempted to spit on PM Chrsitie's wife?
by TalRussell
Concerned 11 years, 10 months ago
It was determined by way of formal report to the Police that the spitting incident never happened.
sansoucireader 11 years, 10 months ago
Deputy PM Davis must be coaching MP Ryan Pinder in stupidity. Why is he even bringing this up in the House? Take it outside! What does this have to do with the business of running the Bahamian government? Carrying on like children in the schoolyard. "I heard.." "I saw..." Someone bring a tamarind switch for them, please. (Ryan Pinder, this is what you came back from FL for?)
pfunkf 11 years, 10 months ago
ryan the lyen heart lied obout his citizenship in the lizzie buy election,he playin dem lazey black people like a pro.whoever in dey right mind would believe in a white PLP.take off the mask ryan.
proudloudandfnm 11 years, 10 months ago
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