The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FNM spokesman Tommy Turnquest yesterday denied reports that Bernadette Christie, wife of PLP party leader Perry Christie, was "spat" on by an FNM supporter at the advance polls on Monday.

Mr Turnquest said reports that someone spat on Mrs Christie are completely false and overblown accusations made by "a man fearful of defeat and desperate to gain power."

"Perry Christie is willing to say anything to get elected. But the more he talks, the more the Bahamian people see his true colours.

"His recent allegations that someone spit on his wife made front-page news. But when interviewed by the police, Mrs Christie told the investigating police officer that while the man talking to her had saliva coming from his mouth, she was never spat on or spat at," he said.

"Mr Christie says he was present when the alleged incident happened. So he was clearly aware of the actual facts of this situation.

"Yet, when he spoke with the media, he told them a completely false version of events.

"So, the bottom line is that Mr Christie has been caught in yet another lie in another desperate attempt to mislead the public and gain power."

Mr Turnquest is calling for Mr Christie to apologise for intentionally misleading the public and the press.

He said: "The bottom line is that Mr Christie has been caught in yet another lie in another desperate attempt to mislead the public and gain power.

"Mr Christie and his cronies in the PLP have been spreading misinformation and distorting the FNM record to win votes. I think they've even blamed us for the rain this week.

"It's just sad and shameful.

"Mr Christie should correct the record on this incident and apologise to the Bahamian public and the press for misleading them."

When contacted yesterday, Mrs Christie said she is leaving the matter up to the police.

She said: "I have spoken to the police and they are doing their investigations. I am done with the matter.

"If I was looking for attention, I would have granted a request for interviews from The Tribune and other news outlets. This is not about politics this is about decency."

On Monday, Mr Christie said he and his wife were bombarded with vulgar and provocative insults as they pulled up to the College of the Bahamas.

The culprits allegedly called Mr Christie a "sissy" and shouted at his wife to return to the United States.

Mrs Christie was also reportedly spat at by an elderly man in a Free National Movement shirt who approached the car.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham condemned the person who assaulted Mrs Christie.

He said: "I condemn the action of anyone who would have spat on his wife.

"I don't think anyone should call him names either."