FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie has been accused of trying to suppress freedom of speech by the leader of the FNM, Dr Hubert Minnis.
On Thursday, the prime minister issued a statement saying that he would sue the chairman of the FNM, Michael Pintard, for defamation over allegations made regarding the arrest of Randy Rolle, the Bahamas Consul General to Atlanta, during a visit to Bimini. The statement also said he had instructed his attorney to take action against the newspapers.
Dr Minnis said: “Prime Minister Christie has been called upon to explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest and speedy release of Consul General Rolle.
“Instead, he has chosen to try to silence freedom of speech and information by threatening to sue the Press, the FNM and its chairman, Senator Pintard.
“Mr Rolle has given conflicting accounts to the media. Initially, it was reported that he said he had not been arrested. He later admitted that he had been detained by the police.
“The Commissioner of Police went further, stating that Rolle was arrested for disorderly conduct... Clearly, in the face of all this confusion, the prime minister, Mr Rolle and the Commissioner of Police have much to explain to the nation.”
Dr Minnis said the FNM would not be distracted from speaking up. He added: “We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. The government owes an explanation to the Bahamian people. It’s time to come clean.”
Earlier, it was revealed that Mr Pintard has retained lawyer Fred Smith, QC, to defend him against the possible defamation lawsuit.
In his statement on Thursday, Mr Christie claimed that Mr Pintard had “falsely and maliciously” accused him of interfering in the release of Bahamas Consul General to Atlanta Randy Rolle from police detention over the Easter holiday weekend.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Smith told The Tribune that he and his client received a letter from Graham Thompson and Co on behalf of Mr Christie requesting an apology, a retraction of his statements and for damages to be paid.
Mr Smith said a response to the letter would be issued by Wednesday.
He said to his knowledge no writ has yet been issued.
While in Bimini, reportedly hoping to conclude a major deal for the island, Mr Rolle was handcuffed and taken into custody on April 3 by police there for “disorderly conduct”.
The matter did not come to light until the following Tuesday, when Mr Pintard released a press statement saying that Mr Christie was duty bound to explain the circumstances surrounding Mr Rolle’s arrest and subsequent release.
Mr Pintard claimed that while Mr Rolle was in police custody he was allowed a phone call that led to his eventual release.
“A short time thereafter apparently the commissioner of police called the head of the Bimini Police Station,” Mr Pintard alleged. “As a result of that conversation Mr Rolle was unconditionally released.”
Last Wednesday, however, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said it was “erroneous” for anyone to assert that he ordered the release of Mr Rolle. He further denied that he or any politician, including Mr Christie, had 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 said 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.
Additionally, Mr Rolle has also denied the claims of political interference, and said the matter was “resolved without recourse to any politician.”
Nonetheless, Mr Christie announced on Thursday that he planned to take legal action against Mr Pintard for defaming his character.
“What Senator Pintard said about me was completely and utterly false,” Mr Christie said in a statement. “Now he will have to account for his defamatory assault in a court of law.”
Last week Mr Rolle confirmed that he was instructed to report to New Providence to give an account of what led to his arrest, but maintained that he was confident he would remain in his diplomatic post.
He said there were no grounds for him to be terminated as he was not charged with an offence.
On Thursday, a government spokesman confirmed that Mr Rolle had returned to the Bahamas for “consultations” with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials in Nassau.
A two-line statement from the government spokesman said Mr Rolle was to meet “with his principals at the headquarters”.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Rolle said he was in a meeting and could not respond to questions. He could not be reached for comment later in the day.
Comments
DillyTree 9 years ago
But Perry Christie doesn't exactly take responsibility for his own speech -- which is often way off base and inflamatory. Classic pot calling kettle black!
John 9 years ago
Again Minnis seem to be a doctor on the wrong medication. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press requires that persons be responsible, honest and truthful about what they put in the publics ear or before its eyes about others, persons who hold public office especially. If Micheal Pintard knowingly told untruths about the PM then he has the right to defend his character from defamation. That is not suppression of free speech. Is it that unusual for persons to be detained by police and later released without charges being brought? If Pintard really wanted answers about this matter he would address his enquiries to the commissioner of police rather than make it a political issue. Freedom of speech does not give anyone the right to purposely plans maliciously malign someone.
Tommy77 9 years ago
Agreed.
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Economist 9 years ago
You are the "Leader of the Opposition", what are you wasting time on this for?
The country has major economic and social problems speak to them. Give us your solutions, show us why you are worthy of becoming prime minister.
But maybe, you are just as useless as the PLP.
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
Good point
TalRussell 9 years ago
My Dear Comrades, these things have nothing to do with whether you're with one party or another but are symptoms of a larger, still deeper problem. But the PM is tempting the opposition to be pointing in his direction as proof that the governing party are slaves to feeding the old ways silencing the opposition. The PM is forcing more than just members of the opposition party to ask, why didn't he act as quickly against the BAMSI contractor and others in the news on the taxpayers radar? Yes, opposition parties asks, then stops asking questions to move onto other things but the voters ain't going no wheres and WILL answer the PM, his Cabinet colleagues and his House of Assembly MP's come 2017. That is those PLP MP', who will still muster the nerve go knocking at the doors of the very people they betrayed for 5 years. In short, PM you couldn't be more wrong to think this is a but just red matter. I have no idea, if they will vote red - but i seriously doubt it will be for anything PLP looking, walking, talking or be's "ducking," likes a PLP.
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
Yep - it will be FNM and DNA and Independent members of Parliament straight through next election. I do not believe the PLP will get more than 3 seats. They have even abandoned a lot of their (well I can't use the word because then I can be sued) - but let's just say "supporters" around the country - can't even talk to them.
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
John I could not say it any better myself. Except that Dr: Minnis will go down in history for making dumb statements. It is a clear sign of how his mind works.
duppyVAT 9 years ago
Perry has the bully pulpit ............. and he is free to use it. We have the big stick in 2017 and we will beat him with his own words at that time .......... but HAM gatta get serious
licks2 9 years ago
PGC is a defeated person. . .even HAM can whip him in a election. . .the PGC has beaten himself this go around. . . people hate him too much!!!
TheMadHatter 9 years ago
Yes, but I do not think people will be happy under a HAM government. You can see his leadership style evident, and I actually believe it would be worse under him than PGC. If the people would give DNA 19 seats then PLP and FNM would have to coalition to hold the PM. That would be a good thing for our democracy.
TalRussell 9 years ago
Comrades the truth as is in the case of the DNA's leadership who claims that, if only they had not been a new party and rushed into fighting a general Election they could have had the time to attract a "better slate" of winning candidates. Their words mine, Comrades, not mine. So, I guess what they''re telling us, is that Bran and Daron, just to name the top two without embarrassing some da others - were not attractive DNA candidates to the voters. Oh, did they actual win their DNA House of assembly seats?
John 9 years ago
Does anyone see the parallels between US and Bahamian politics? In the U.S., despite his performance, Obama has a 4:6 favor ability rating. The media says the people wants Obama gone and they don't want Hillary Clinton. But they also don't want any of the candidates the Republicans have put forward this far. None have even completed one term in the senate. So Hillary stands the better chance of winning. In the Bahamas they also gave Perry Christie a failing grade, as prime minister, and many want him gone. But many do not view Hubert Minnis as a favorable choice for the office. So does that mean more people will be giving their votes to Branville McCartney and the DNA or will they be forced to vote for Hubert Minnis just to get rid of Perry and the PLP?
Major_Pain 9 years ago
And yet Minnis is the one that says he will not debate. LOL.
proudloudandfnm 9 years ago
Can we please stop calling it the DNA. 4 people do not make a party. Let's call it what it actually is please.....
Bran
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