The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. THE RESPONSE of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) deputy leader; Mr Philip "Brave" Davis to the question of conflict of interest in relations to his law firm's connection to the Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC), instigates more questions than answers. Mr Davis was quoted as saying the following in an article by Dana Smith in The Tribune of April 27, 2012, entitled - DNA Demand Christie's Resignation: "How does it become a conflict? I'm not in government. When I'm there, then the question might arise, then I'll know what I have to do." But, this is general election season in The Bahamas, and Mr "Brave" Davis and his consultant to Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) party leader - Mr Perry Christie - are offering themselves as alternatives to the existing administration via the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Is Mr Philip "Brave" Davis suggesting that things only become a potential conflict with a company that's seeking to drill for oil in the Bahamas - which his law firm represents - only if the Progressive Liberal Party is successful in defeating the governing Free National Movement (FNM) - on May 7, 2012? This, in my opinion, is scandalous! Mr "Brave" Davis, deputy leader of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) - has unknowingly accepted in his mind to probably start a government with a potential major scandal of international proportions; only if we - the Bahamian people innocently - decide to vote for such a situation. In my view, the conflict of interest is in full swing, Mr "Brave" Davis, and it's a pity that you cannot see the forest for the trees in this regard. Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) wants to drill for oil in our waters and the Bahamian people don't know the details of the deal, nor the environmental risks to our marine ecosystem; it is a major decision which requires reflective national consensus, Messrs Christie and Davis. If it's not a conflict of interest, Mr Davis, then tell the Bahamian people about Mr Christie, the Progressive Liberal Party and your plans for Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) and drilling for oil in The Bahamas before we vote on May 7, 2012 or face deserved rejection at the polls. DENNIS DAMES Nassau, April 29, 2012.