By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie has emphatically denied instructing Ministry of Works Parliamentary Secretary Renward Wells to sign a $650m letter of intent with waste-to-energy company Stellar Waste Management saying such claims – made by Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader Branville McCartney on Tuesday – are “preposterous”.
Responding to questions from The Tribune following the morning session of the House of Assembly, Mr Christie said lengthy meetings with his legal team have resulted in a group of attorneys being instructed to take appropriate steps against the persons responsible for publishing the claims.
Later in the day a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said that Mr Christie branded the claims “a most serious and malicious defamation” of his character.
“The subject headline, ‘Bran claims PM told Wells to sign letter’, and story in today’s Tribune has been brought to my attention,” the statement read. “I am also advised that certain radio talk show hosts over the course of yesterday and possibly today have carried similar stories, alleging that I, instructed, advised or encouraged Renward Wells, the Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, to sign a letter of intent to build a $650 million waste-to-energy plant at the New Providence landfill.
“This allegation is categorically denied and is absolutely false. I said or did no such thing. I regard this as a most serious and malicious defamation of my character and I have therefore instructed my attorneys to take such steps as they may deem appropriate against the persons responsible for the publication of the defamatory statements in question.”
Mr Christie’s response was sparked by Mr McCartney’s claims at a press conference on Tuesday that it was Mr Christie who allegedly gave directives to Mr Wells to sign the letter of intent with Stellar Waste to remediate and construct a waste-to-energy plant at the New Providence landfill.
Mr McCartney told reporters that he was reliably informed that Mr Wells has not been fired or pressured to do so because the Prime Minister gave the instructions.
Following Mr Christie’s statement, Mr Wells issued a brief statement that did not attempt to explain or vindicate his position. It confirmed that it was not Mr Christie who ordered him to sign the letter. Mr Wells denied that he told the media or anyone that Mr Christie instructed him.
“It has come to my attention that an allegation has been made that I said that the Prime Minister told me to sign the alleged LOI in respect to the proposed waste-to-energy plant. I categorically deny that I ever told anyone in the media or anyone at all that I had been asked by the Prime Minister to sign the said LOI.
“The Prime Minister never asked me to sign the said LOI,” Mr Wells said.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
These legal statements are always so carefully worded. If I told Mary to ask Sue to do something for me, can I deny at a later date that I asked Sue to do something? Can Sue claim that I never asked her to do anything, since in actuality, it was Mary that asked.....Curiouser and curiouser...the truth is, only Renward knows who really asked him to sign the letter and as long as he keeps his day job, he eehn talkin it. Which in itself cannot be right "somebody" committed an offense and that person should be fired.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
If PGC didn't tell RW to sign the LOI, isn't it PGC's responsibility to find out who did and fire that person? Obviously it would have to be someone with greater seniority than Renward and someone who knew they were doing something wrong. If Reward refuses to divulge to the PM who that person is, PGC has no other course but to fire Renward. This shouldn't take two weeks to figure out....
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Doubt it, If that was the case that door would have hit his backside long time
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
PGC should be sending his team of lawyers to find out who gave Mr. Wells authority to sign the LOI. It seems obvious that PGC told his 'bag man' to tell Mr. Wells to sign the bloody LOI. I would love to know what Mr. Wells was promised or paid in order to stick his neck out like that. He was either promised something sweet or was threatened with a big reveal. Either way politics and politicians suck!!!! We should ask the Americans who gave Mr. Wells the authority; you know they know!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Maybe it's the same legal team looking into damages for the allegations made by the Punch about Alfred Gray in that parking lot...
HarryWyckoff 9 years, 8 months ago
Instead of his ridiculous posturing and legal threats, the PM needs to hold a press conference for his employers (the People of The Bahamas - remember those PGC?) to explain who exactly did order the letter signed, and provide a clear plan of action for removing all of those involved from public office, along with a timeline for doing so.
But no... the useless man who calls himself the leader of this country simply stamps his feet and threatens those who call him out or pressure him to actually do his job.
Honestman 9 years, 8 months ago
This is the most scandalous episode in PGC's shambolic tenure. How can this man be so contemptuous of the general public, many of whom voted him into office as their leader? The Bahamian people are entitled to a full and honest explanation as to the circumstances that caused RW to sign the letter of intent. It's time for the FNM to withdraw all co-operation with the governing party until such time as this matter is resolved. The public too needs to start protesting. This is an affront to democracy in this country.
CuriousAbaconian 9 years, 8 months ago
Amen
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
My Dear Comrade Bloggers and Tribune readers. The news today about how PM Christie wakes up in one he sue-ya-asses off modes, makes me want to call the PM's legal bluff but how do I accomplish this, without inviting the possibility of inflicting financial harm upon the Tribune's bank account? Comrades, I is so ready to post but just to be cautiously responsible, I need to first convince myself, that any reasonable person would laugh they stomach's off if, the PM were to attempt to shut down all commentary on why the public has every reason to wonder out loud, if it is he or his Deputy Prime Minister - or heaven forbid if , tis it he low pay scale level Parliamentary Secretary who is running the Prime Minister? Comrades I hope I passed the PM's sue-ya-asses off legal bluff test and will feel sufficient confident to post in coming days my response to the PM.
bigbadbob 9 years, 8 months ago
worst part is the type of plasma to waste conversion they signed way to much for does not work, all of the test plants have shut down due to toxins being relased furans and dioxin both nasty , I think we just bough a pile of goods.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
The contract or the governing party?
SP 9 years, 8 months ago
Christie could not have asked Well's to sign the letter of intent as that would have meant making a decision.
What scares me more at the moment is what are the governments plans to contain the Ebola virus which is sure to reach our shores with all the Africans especially Nigerians among us?
Cobalt 9 years, 8 months ago
Blah blah blah blah blah blah. The Bahamas is one big joke. The Tribune Newspaper should be sold on the comic-book shelf, right next to all the other humor magazines such-as Cracked and MAD Magazine.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID