FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis and supporters calling yesterday for V Alfred Gray to be removed.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunmedia.net
FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday questioned whether MICAL MP V Alfred Gray’s Cabinet post would conflict with investigations into allegations of judicial interference against him.
His comments came after he led dozens of Free National Movement supporters and members of Parliament to protest in Parliament Square, calling for Mr Gray’s removal from Cabinet.
Dr Minnis also questioned how far the matter would go if the case were sent to the attorney general, also a sitting Cabinet minister.
“Mr Gray called a magistrate during an active case,” he said, “that was inappropriate. His behaviour was inappropriate and there are cases in the Westminster system that show he should have resigned or been fired by the prime minister. His behaviour sends a bad signal to the Bahamian public and the international community.”
“It sends the message that officials can interfere with the judiciary and that you may not receive proper trial, but not only that, he is being investigated by police. When a civil servant has been accused of wrongdoing that civil servant is placed on leave.”
He added: “What makes a minister more special?”
Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade is expected to review the finished file on the investigation into alleged judicial interference by the MICAL MP this week.
In March, the opposition Free National Movement raised concerns that Mr Gray allegedly used his position to have a man in his constituency freed, following conviction and sentencing. It is claimed that Mr Gray contacted Mayaguana island Administrator Zephaniah Newbold, the sentencing magistrate, to offer “legal advice”.
However, according to media reports Mr Newbold has said he released the convicted youth, Jaquan Charlton, outright “after an order came forth”.
He said the young man had not been released on bail as Mr Gray had reportedly claimed.
On Sunday, Mr Greenslade said until he reviews the complete file, he could not say what course of action would be taken next.
Dr Minnis added: “I put all this blame at the feet of the prime minister. He’s not strong enough to make a decision, and he himself misled the Bahamian public when he ignored the results of the gaming referendum. During the referendum he placed himself in a compromised position, and that is why he cannot govern properly.”
Yesterday, Dr Minnis estimated that there were more than 100 protesters at yesterday’s demonstration.
“They came to show their support for democracy, that Alfred Gray was wrong,” he said.
“Over 100 people were shouting Alfred Gray must go, and we have been asking for all Bahamians, once they believe in democracy and strengthening of the democratic process so as to improve lives for their grandkids the future, then they must stand up with us to maintain democracy, transparency, integrity.”
Comments
FNM_Retards 9 years ago
Nobody checking for these FNM retards. And looks like a bunch of Geriatrics, they should be back in the old people's home playing bingo - except that 1 sissy in the front textin his baby daddy. Bunch of losers. RED AND SCARED. lol.
John 9 years ago
FNM still practicing Politics 101 when they need to graduate and become qualitfied to take part in Election 2017. While they accusing the government of meddling in judicial matters and police matters they seem to want to take the law in their own hands. Rather than wait on the commissioners report on the Gray affair and rather than get all the facts in the Rolle affair they seem to want to be the judge, the bench and the jury in these matters. Is this an indication of how they will operate in they are voted into office? Guilty until proven innocent?
TruthHurts 9 years ago
Why are these vagrants always loitering and causing a raucous? Someone really needs to throw water on them! Everyone knows that Gray needs to get his just desserts! Duh! But isn't there more important things happening in this country than congregating for a useless cause! Just complete and utter nonsense! These goons cannot be taken seriously!
TalRussell 9 years ago
Free National Movement flashes back to fnm 2012.org where their ideas does still resides. Can a Comrade point me to the red party's 'current' website?
by TalRussell
Emac 9 years ago
Again, a party with too much old fogies. Too much grey hair. Please get out of politics with the same old ideas and talks! If the FNM wins the next election I predict that the same bullshit will occur. These people standing there will be the first online to ask for favors Politics is like a revolving door in the Bahamas.SMT... Please red team, get your act together. You were once my party of choice. Now I don't see no way out. Lord please come and rescue us Bahamians from this band of incompetent wanna be leaders.
John 9 years ago
One lesson Hubert Minnis must learn is FNM's by nature are not political activists. They cast their votes during elections then they allow government to run its course. Then then the time comes they go back to the ballot box. Hence the low turn outs for the protests he has had. The FNM came out of the Pindling era where victimization was real and it was harsh and it lasted a very long time. So non Pingdomites learned to suffer in silence and to make their vote count when the time came.
duppyVAT 9 years ago
very good observation ............ the U30 voter is not a protester type ........ they are spoilt by Facebook and watsup .............. e-protest
SP 9 years ago
While these red shirt jackass's are all in one spot, they can ask Minnis what happened to the $5M that his former Cabinet colleague and Minister of Tourism absconded with just before the 2012 election!
The PLP can answer the question too if Minnis to shy. Perhaps both of them think we're too dumb to remember?
Stapedius 9 years ago
There should be answers from Gray about his stupid intervention. The protesting by these parties is becoming pointless and boring. I would think that Pintard with all his oratory skills would find ways to get the message conveyed. On the other hand, it is interesting that no journalist has confronted the FNM about corruption and intervention by its members which have gone unchecked.1) who was involved the BEC bribery? 2) Why was the former Tourism minister not question with regards to missing money and conflict of interest? 3) explain the underhanded and grubby deal regarding the new port? It is clear to see that neither the media nor the plp wanta to answer these questions and many other questions. The media are either biased or overwhelmingly incompetent and government is sure to have some of its party members involve, hand in hand with the FNM. The whole thing is a farce and Pintard should be sensible enough to see it. While he's out there jumping around members of his party and the PLP in business together and cutting deals left and right. There's only one party in this country. The Dollar party will always win.
proudloudandfnm 9 years ago
Good stuff! Good to see this. Gray needs to be fired immediately... Keep the pressure up....
FNM_Retards 9 years ago
You and the PLP can both go to hell, you FNM retard.
FNM_Retards 9 years ago
The FNM Retards are at it again, wasting OUR time and money, typical ALL FOR THEM mentality from the party of crooks.
FNM_Retards 9 years ago
The FNM retards should get new shirts, 2012 was so 3 years ago, and they lost miserably. THE FNM ARE LOSERS, THE FNM ARE RED AND SCARED !!
birdiestrachan 9 years ago
Dr: Minnis said there will be more people next time. He must be waiting for the two bus loads that he said were on their way, but were caught up in traffic he said. He did disrespect the Police because the Police was trying to get them to go across the street. he stopped it and said he does not care how many police were out there. But at the same time if Bensil Rolle and Foulkes and the others have absolutely nothing to do why not go out on Bays Street and make fools of themselves.
FNM_Retards 9 years ago
Yall RETARDS is be bursting a blood vessel over politics, meanwhile yall wont even clean up your dirty nasty ghetto communities. As long as you got your fry chicken, alcohol, and gambling, you good to go.
John 9 years ago
Why don't you go back to home
FNM_Retards 9 years ago
Because yer ma told me her backside needed some time off.
Cobalt 9 years ago
Right is right..... and wrong is wrong.
And what VAG did was simply wrong. His actions were a blatant conflict of interest, not to mention an abuse of power. His actions were meant to undermine and intimidate. No member of the executive branch of government has the legal right to influence a decision carried out by the legislative branch. VAG knows this and knows that the honorable coarse of action should be to abdicate his position from government.
But of course..... in classic PLP bush-league style of governing; lacking morals, ethics, principles, values and standards.... he remains adamantly opposed to doing the right thing. PLP to the bone.
jlcandu 9 years ago
Cobalt, Thanks for writing the truth instead of the verbal diarrhea coming from FNM_Retards and Birdie. At least the FNM is taking a stand for what they believe in, unlike most of the PLP's in this country who try to justify the unjustifiable.
Greentea 9 years ago
just don't think old time protest works the same as it used to. It would truly have to be a mass demonstration for government to act. With thousands upon thousands of people sitting from one end of Bay to another. And they dont even have to say a word. just sit in the middle of the street.
duppyVAT 8 years, 12 months ago
ANYONE SEEN V ALFRED GRAY RECENTLY????????? HE RESIGN YET???????????
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