The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the opposition Free National Movement yesterday left the House of Assembly in their continued their protest against V Alfred Gray over allegations of judicial interference that have dogged the MICAL MP this year.

All but one FNM member of Parliament - Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key - yesterday rose and left the Lower Chamber in silent defiance as Mr Gray stood to give a contribution to the debate on a resolution to increase minimum wage.

Near the end of his contribution, the FNM members all gathered at the entrance of the Lower Chamber, patiently waiting for Mr Gray to finish his contribution before returning to their seats.

Only one FNM member, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, entered prior to Mr Gray’s conclusion.

Speaking with The Tribune yesterday, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said the party remains resolute in its position to oppose Mr Gray each time he speaks in Parliament. The party has asked for Mr Gray to be fired from Cabinet due to the allegations against him.

“We walked out and the FNM will always walk out anytime Gray gets up to speak, so the Bahamian public with remember (the alleged) judicial interference,” he said. “The fact that (Prime Minister Perry Christie) released him from one of his ministries was an admission that he (Mr Gray) was wrong. Christie should have removed him from both ministries because what he did was wrong and every time that he gets up to talk we will walk out.

“The FNM has always fought for law and order and transparency. The message that was sent out to the world is that the politician or the government can interfere with the judiciary and nothing happens.”

Earlier this year, the FNM alleged that Mr Gray interfered in a court case after Mayaguana Administrator Zephaniah Newbold released 19-year-old Jaquan Charlton shortly after convicting and sentencing him to a three month prison term.

Mr Newbold has alleged that Mr Gray threatened him into releasing the teen – a claim Mr Gray has strongly denied.

On March 25, Mr Christie revealed that Mr Gray had been relieved of his post as minister of local government pending the police investigation into the matter. Mr Gray had offered his resignation as local government minister. However, he remains minister of agriculture.

After a police investigation into the claims, the Office of the Attorney General decided not to pursue charges against anyone in the matter.

Previously, FNM members would bang their desks each time Mr Gray rose to speak in the House of Assembly.

This occurred when Mr Gray rose to make a contribution to the 2015/2016 budget debate in June.

This angered seated PLP parliamentarians, who shouted from their seats in protest. It also led House Speaker Dr Kendal Major to raise his voice and stand, demanding that the session come to order.

He warned the opposing MPs to discontinue banging on their desks.

They did not stop, however.

Dr Major subsequently suspended three members - Dr Minnis, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman and Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant - for repeatedly defying his orders to cease their protest against Mr Gray.

He said the three named FNM MPs had violated house protocol.

They were suspended for one meeting of the House.