The scene at Saturday's FNM rally at Clifford Park.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham told voters that they would not want to re-elect the PLP if court-sealed allegations against its deputy, Cat Island candidate Philip “Brave” Davis, were made public.
Speaking to supporters at a mass rally in Grand Bahama this weekend, Mr Ingraham told the crowd that Mr Davis asked the court not to reveal claims made against him until after the general election.
“You know, there is a case in court with a man named Weissfisch,” Mr Ingraham said.
“Brave Davis is mixed up in that case and some allegations are made against him in that case. So he went to court and asked the court to keep secret the allegations made against him in the case, and he asked the court to postpone the hearing of the case until Wednesday, May 9.”
According to Mr Ingraham, Mr Davis told the court: “I was elected Deputy Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition the Progressive Liberal Party, and a highly charged political season is about to commence with a general election on the horizon. As I now hold a position of substantially more significance in the PLP, Weissfisch will no doubt seek to put into the public domain the baseless allegations made against me in these proceedings, with the objective of forcing me to capitulate to his demands or face the risk of being potentially prejudiced during the next general election campaign by the attendant publicity. My concern about that – putting the allegations against me in the public domain – is not based upon a fear of public embarrassment on my part. I have a good defence to all of these claims.”
Speaking to Grand Bahama supporters on Saturday, Mr Ingraham added: “Now, you would not know what is in these claims. I know what is in the claims. If you know what’s in the claims, you wouldn’t vote for Perry Christie and Brave Davis. But you will find out what’s in the claim on Wednesday – two days after the general election, because they have sealed the records.”
Mr Davis is the PLP candidate for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. As the deputy leader, Mr Davis was rumoured to be favoured for the top spot of the party if leader Perry Christie stepped down mid-term. Mr Christie had stated earlier that he would not complete his term if elected and would choose a successor. However, Mr Christie has since backtracked from this position and maintained that he will serve his full term.
At last week’s advanced poll, Mr Christie said: “I’ve learnt that you do not put a ceiling on things – I sort of had an initial discussion early on after the last election, and I have since said that I’m going to serve a full term and I’m going to ensure that I have a very effective government.”
Calls to Mr Davis were not returned up to press time.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.