By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Consul General to Atlanta Randy Rolle confirmed that he was instructed to report to New Providence to give an account of what led to his arrest in Bimini over the holiday weekend, but maintained that he was confident he will remain in the diplomatic post.
Mr Rolle said there were no grounds for him to be terminated because he was not charged with an offence. He declined to say when he was expected in Nassau, later telling The Tribune to direct future inquiries to Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Philip Miller.
This came after Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade yesterday said it was “erroneous” for anyone to assert that he ordered the release of Mr Rolle, who was handcuffed and taken into custody on Friday by police in Bimini for “disorderly conduct”.
The commissioner denied that he or any politician, including Prime Minister Perry Christie, intervened on Mr Rolle’s behalf, adding that his release was the result of a decision by an assistant superintendent on the island.
Mr Greenslade told The Tribune that he became aware of the incident after Mr Rolle was released from police custody. He said Mr Rolle had sent him a message on the mobile messenger service WhatsApp, followed by an email to communicate the series of events.
It was then, that the commissioner said, that he ordered the superintendent in Bimini to look into the matter and to report his findings.
“It was a situation where there was a major event happening in Bimini, a homecoming of sorts (and) the streets were congested,” Mr Greenslade said during an interview in his office at Police Headquarters on East Street. “Police officers determined that they should set up a diversion to get the traffic to move around the area so as not to have complications.
“The police had reason to speak with Consul General Randy Rolle who was on a golf cart and, of course, pointed him to the area where he should divert. That conversation did not go extremely well. It was quite verbal, some verbal jostling between the initial officers and the consul general, and subsequently a sergeant was called in who again made an intervention and had reason to arrest the consul general for disorderly behaviour.”
He added: “The answer to the question of whether the commissioner ordered the release of Consul General Randy Rolle in respect of the recent police matter in Bimini is erroneous.
“It never happened and I am very bothered by the fact that anyone would put that out as a factual statement because it did not happen. There is no information to my attention that any politician, including the prime minister or any politician on any side made any intervention in that matter.”
On Tuesday, Free National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard released a press statement accusing Mr Christie of using his position of power to allegedly intervene on behalf of Mr Rolle.
Mr Pintard alleged that while Mr Rolle was in police custody he was allowed a phone call to the prime minister.
“A short time thereafter apparently the commissioner of police called the head of the Bimini Police Station. As a result of that conversation Mr Rolle was unconditionally released,” Mr Pintard alleged.
Mr Rolle denied the claims of political interference on Tuesday. He initially told The Tribune that he had called the commissioner about the incident. However he backtracked from this yesterday, saying he did not know the commissioner’s cell phone number.
Mr Rolle has said he was in Bimini hoping to conclude a major deal for the island.
“I have seen a press release issued by the FNM on my detention at Bimini on Friday last,” Mr Rolle said in a statement on Tuesday. “At no time did I ever call or speak to the prime minister during the time of the events. The matter was resolved without recourse to any politician. I was released without charge and there the matter ended.”
However, Mr Pintard has insisted that the prime minister is “duty bound to explain” the circumstances surrounding Mr Rolle’s arrest and subsequent release.
He said on the surface, this matter appears to resemble the controversy surrounding MICAL MP V Alfred Gray.
Allegations of judicial interference were launched against the Christie administration in March with Mr Gray at the centre of those claims.
The FNM alleged that Mr Gray used his position to have a man in his constituency freed, following conviction and sentencing. Mr Gray has denied the allegations.
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
If Pintard has prood that Mr: Rolle called the PM and the PM ordered his release, He should come forward with the information, This should be very easy. It seems that they have a plan sometimes Minns will attack and sometimes Pintard will attaack..There are many persons with phones who must have the events on their phones.
GrassRoot 9 years ago
I think that is a good plan they have. They should have 10 more people attacking and keeping this government on its toes. Where is the FOIA? Don't tell me you don't think this is a crucial piece of legislation that we need all, FMN, PLP, DNA or any other color, now rather than tomorrow.
John 9 years ago
Didn't' the PM say that this will be dealt with in the next session of the house? There were to be some amendments.
justthefactsplease 9 years ago
So, who is lying...Rolle said he does not know the COP's cell phone number and the COP say he received a Whatsapp message from Rolle...how are both those positions supposed to be true?
proudloudandfnm 9 years ago
Had Gray not called the administrator the PLP would not be in the position it's in now. PLP can expect to be questioned now anytime a criminal matter is brought up....
Das what you get for screwing around while in office....
Idiots....
GrassRoot 9 years ago
Ok, why would Commissioner call the Superintendent in Bimini and tell him to look into the matter?. I am sure he would have done that without the call. How many police officers are there in Bimini? this is not a huge operation and I would guess, if the arrest happened during office hours, the Superintendent would have heard about it anyway. I love the fact that Mr. Rolle had the Commissioners WhatsApp details. Of course the Commissioner took influence over the process. What do you think what happens, if the Boss calls you directly? If it was nothing, why would the Boss bother to begin with? All this aside. I think Mr. Rolle got a bit ahead of himself. I don't think that's a big deal. let him run and in peace, he will learn from it. there are bigger fish to fry, lets not waste time on this one.
TalRussell 9 years ago
Comrades every time a new account surfaces about what led to the release from the policeman's custody of the nation's Consul General, it becomes that much more confusing.
Is there any wonder, why so many done became frustrated with what has been explained about what 'didn't happen,' rather than just saying what in fact 'actually happened.' I am in a state of shock that the neither the PM, or his Minister for Foreign Affairs, have not stepped forward to directly fire this embarrassment.
Compare this event to how quickly a private citizen was recently detained, arrested, charged, convicted and his backside ever so quickly sentenced to 3 months in jail, all within hours, and it should make even the rank and file supporters of the PLP governing party, to shake their damn heads.
Even if V. Alfred made a call for freedom, I thank him for helping a non big shot, son of the soil to avoid going directly to jail, cuz he was never offered bail.
Why is it some are sent to the taxpayers jail, while it sure seems likes others continue on the taxpayers payroll, and some really luck ones even get sit in the back seat of complimentary chauffeur driven fine vehicles, all paid for by taxpayers, not in da prison bus. Amen!
Just the facts Comrades!.......//https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74xiq...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74xiq...
asiseeit 9 years ago
In general, government types think they are above the law. Why should they be treated any different than you or me. What makes them so special? If we are one Bahamas everyone should be treated in the same manner. Is this not what the original PLP fought so hard for, equality? Looks like we have a ruling class and their cronies and then the rest of us rabble. DISGUSTING AND UNACCEPTABLE IN THIS DAY AND AGE!
John 9 years ago
The FNM will need to do more than go on witching hunts to become the next government of this Bahamas. Despite the shortcomings of the current government, no civil minded Bahamian wants to see them forced out of office to be replaced by another group that has no definitive plan or clear vision for the country. Next month marks the three year mark for the PLP and those who wish to become the government in 2017 for a part of it) must prove they are capable of doing a better job of it. Where there is no vision the people perish.
Cobalt 9 years ago
Hubert Minnis and his FNM party need to be using their time wisely and start devising ways in which they can bail the country out of the current mess that it's in, rather than wasting time pointing out the faults of the PLP.
We all know that Perry and the PLP are a joke and will undoubtedly be voted out of office in 2017. But what we DON'T KNOW is, what realistic plan does the FNM and DNA have for socioeconomic change!
So far all they've been doing is castigating, pointing fingers, and casting blame on the opposing government. This is the epitome of bush-league, banana-republic politics!
The REAL question is........ what does Hubert Minnis and the FNM plan on doing to change things??? What solutions do they have regarding our current problems??? So far.... Hubert Minnis has not answered nor address this question! When asked what his plans were regarding BEC..... he stumbled and fumbled his words making it clear that his government has no solutions either. Smh
The simple truth is..... The Bahamas is doomed. And the blame has fallen solely on the shoulders of the people of the Bahamas.
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
There is a urgent need to stop putting young black men in jail. for minor offences. and I am writing about the poor black boy from the out island. a quiet small little Island. Jail would mess his life up. and no one seems to care. They are all to busy trying to destory Mr: Gray. what a shame.
asiseeit 9 years ago
Ever heard of being responsible for your actions. Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Gray has destroyed himself though his actions. Just like that white boy you keep running on about that you think got away scot free, his action landed him in a U.S. prison for 7 years. The shame is you are to bias to see what is wrong with Mr. Grays alleged actions.
Stapedius 9 years ago
Get a life birdie. You must be joking with this party loyalty nonsense. Gray needs to go, Nottage go. Shall I continue?
asiseeit 9 years ago
My vision for the Bahamas would be to implement a Freedom of Information act, and Fiscal resposibility act, impilment a impartial commitee to grant government contracts that would be totally transparent so the best and most cost effective bid was selected (no more cronie contracts like BAMSI), Making it an offense for an MP to become involved in the hiring of civil servants, enforcing law as it relates to MP's declaring assets, implementing a corruption task force that has the abillity to arrest and charge MP's and civil servants. and that is just a start. The leaders of this Nation need to be held to a higher standard, they are just bush/banana republic now!
TalRussell 9 years ago
by TalRussell
Honestman 9 years ago
I think The Bahamas has far bigger issues to deal with. The media should move on and concentrate on the bigger and much more serious picture.
John 9 years ago
Come to think about it, the US elections are 1 year before we own. And thus far all the Republicans is promising to do is repeal ObamaCare and undo a number of economic plans the president has put in place. Unemployment in the US is at its lowest in 10 years and many states are reporting crime to be at its lowest level in a decade. And oh yes, they did go after Hillary Clinton and try to shoot down her creditability even before she announced that she was running. Maybe that's just politics.
Stapedius 9 years ago
I think he should be dismissed. As consul general where the hell you get off talking about major deal for Bimini? Know your role buddy. He is not indispensable and the government need only cut off loose ends. Tired of hearing about these hangers on. Fire him and move on.
John 9 years ago
Despite what they tell you, the equal rights bill will open the gateway for same sex marriage in the Bahamas. While the bill itself may not allow for gay marriages, per se, to happen in this country, it will mandate that these marriages will eventually have to be recognized here. THE REASON WHY : The Bahamas has at least 5 million tourist visiting each year. Lets assume that 5% of them are gay. That's a population of at least one quarter million people. So what the gay or "human" rights groups are saying is that if two fellas decide to get married in California, or two women in Minnesota, they have to be treated like 'husband and wife' when they come to the Bahamas. Breezes cannot deny them a stay because they only cater to (traditional) married couples and if they check in to Atlantis the maid cannot refuse to clean their room because 'they like that.' The waiter cannot refuse to go back to the room because, 'them fellas was looking at him funny and he aint on they run," and the dj in the club will not be allowed to cut the music off because he see two man or two woman dancing together. Spousal laws on inheirtance and spousal rights will also be tampered with. But since most churches in the Bahamas are of the Christain faith and preach from a bible that teaches that marriage is a sacred union between a male and a female then they cannot be forced to participate in these same sex unions and must have the right to keep them out of their churches. Of course some pastors will follow the money instead of the scripture and you know what will happen next.
Jonahbay 9 years ago
John, I usually agree with you in your statements. However this is an off colour statement if you ask me. First of all, your second sentence contradicts your first. Equal rights for men and women will also lend itself to gays and lesbians because they are human first. I can't believe that in 2015 any person educated or uneducated would even think it was okay to mutter under their breath that men and women should not be equal because that will help gays be equal and we don't want that so let's keep this as it is. This is about human rights, if gays are humans then so be it. Myopia is killing The Bahamas. Let the next generation decide if they want gay marriage. Let this generation decide if they want men and women to be equal. Stay focused!
John 9 years ago
If you have any comprehension of the English language you cannot conclude that the first and second statements contradict each other. They are simply saying that even if gay marriages are not allowed to be performed in the Bahamas, same sex couples who marry elsewhere and travel to the Bahamas will have to have the rights of their union extended to them. You use various pen names to extend your varying points of view. But by trying to contradict what I am saying you actually confirm what I said. No one is suggesting the denial of equal rights as it already exists in the Bahamas de facto. My clear observation was that when you attempt to put it into law, then it will encompass other things such as gay rights and the recognition of gay marriages. When you say man and woman are equal in all aspects, then you also say a man has just as much right to marry a man as he has to marry a woman. It is intertwined with equal rights of the sexes and you cannot separate it (gay marriage). To do so then yes you are attempting to deceive. That was my premis. The Christain teaching is that God created man first and made him the ruler of the earth and the head of his household. Same sex marriages will have to rewrite that law. Rather than going off on irrelevant tangents about who is educated and who is not, I challenge you to prove that I am wrong.
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