By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
LOCAL Government Minister V Alfred Gray yesterday dismissed recent demands made by the Free National Movement for him to resign or be fired over alleged judicial interference, insisting that the official opposition was using him to stay “relevant” in national news.
The FNM has accused the controversial MICAL member of Parliament of allegedly abusing his power after he contacted an island administrator to offer what Mr Gray has called “legal advice” regarding a young man convicted in his constituency.
Although Mr Gray has confirmed that he did contact the island administrator, he has strongly denied that he in any way attempted to sway the course of justice.
“I have left everything as they are and when the time is right I will offer my comments,” Mr Gray said yesterday.
“I have the right to speak when I feel the time is right, I will wait until they have said all that they need to say and then I will speak on my side of the matter.”
When asked about the demands for his resignation Mr Gray said he has not paid much attention to the calls.
“Everyday they (the FNM) want someone to resign. Today it’s me, tomorrow the deputy prime minister, next week the prime minister. They are trying to stay relevant by using matters like this as talking points,” Mr Gray said.
According to reports, last week a man from Mayaguana was convicted and sentenced for minor offences ranging from obscene language to obstruction of a police officer. The young man was being held without bail awaiting transportation to Nassau to start serving his three-month sentence.
An appeal on behalf of the young man was then filed.
At some point during the week, Mr Gray contacted the Mayaguana island administrator, Zephaniah Newbold, who is also a local magistrate, and informed him that he as magistrate had the power to grant bail when an appeal is lodged on a conviction.
It was later claimed by the FNM that following this phone conversation between Mr Gray and Mr Newbold, the latter granted the release of the man he had convicted just days earlier.
On Sunday FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis argued that Mr Gray’s actions set a “dangerous precedent” for ministers. He added, that Mr Gray “crossed the line” and demanded his immediate resignation.
After the initial report surfaced, Mr Gray admitted to the call, but insisted that the exchange took place after the ordeal had unfolded and a decision had already been made.
He claimed he only called the administrator to give him some needed legal advice.
On Sunday, Mr Gray released a short statement in response to the FNM’s accusations.
“I categorically deny that I sought to influence or pervert the course of justice in a matter before the courts,” his statement said. “Any suggestion that I did so is absolutely preposterous and completely false. However, as the matter in question is still before the courts, I am constrained from making any further statement at this time.”
The Tribune contacted Mr Newbold yesterday, however he said he did not want to speak on the issue.
“Today as it stands I don’t want to speak about what occurred on the 19 (of March),” Mr Newbold said. “When the time is right I will give an account of what happened.
“It is hard to say when the time would be right, but when it is I will speak. I don’t want to speak about what happened at this time.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 years, 1 month ago
Dr; Minnis should tell the Bahamian people was it not Judicial interference or Police interference when the police who wanted to charge the Bare foot Bandit was not allowed to do so, When the FNM was in power. They young man had committed serious offences in the Bahamas and the police were bringing charges against him. The FNM allowed him to leave with a slap on the wrist. Now Minnis talks, every Sunday he seems to be calling for some one to resign. They were both young men one white the other is a black Bahamian.
asiseeit 9 years, 1 month ago
That white boy is in jail in the U.S., he is there for a very long time. The Bahamas does not have to spend one cent on his incarceration. So what is the problem?
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Comrades welcome to island justice. Many of us true islanders know exactly what that can mean to those accused of offenses. Those calling for Minister V. Alfred's firing from cabinet choose to play politics rather than examine this case thoroughly. Minnis is only embarrassing his party, that is if there is anything left to embarrasses.. Obviously, if media reports are correct and since the non-lawyer “island administrator” magistrate ain't talking, that's our facts go on. The reported fact is, the young man awaiting transfer to Fox Hill prison, was not offered bail. We are talking of a minor offense, one where in the interests of justice and before receiving the minister's telephone call, which amounted to nothing more than a "courtesy reminder” of a bail option, the young man should have been permitted to be released on bail and NOT sentenced to jail. There are no facts in the media to even suggest that, in the interests of justice this young man should not have been permitted to be released on bail.
From the sounds over past days it seems even the talk show hosts are united in their hatred for anything PLP, that they have tripping over each other to shout into their cherished microphones like the bunch of twisted anti- PLP's, they truly are.
Why the PM would allow any Minister to even appear as a guest on their shows, remains a mystery to many..
duppyVAT 9 years, 1 month ago
These guys have no fear or respect for Perry .............. this was not the way it was under SLOP or HAI rgardless of their failings ............ The Cabinet reflects the wider social ill-discipline that is tearing this country apart .................... PERRY MUST ACT NOW!!!!!!!!
TalRussell 9 years, 1 month ago
Wow!! Seems like an overplay gun power, all for a teenage Barefoot Bandit caught in the Bahamas.mov
....///https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTjK-...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTjK-...
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 1 month ago
Arrogant people make horrible public SERVANTS. A servant doesn't tell the master when and where he will respond. He gives an account of his actions when questioned or else he's fired.
John 9 years, 1 month ago
ONE QUESTION: how many persons have you heard of being locked up in Mayaguana or any of the far flung Southern islands? Hardly any right? Mayaguana's population is less than that of Fox Hill Prison. So in the light of things this was an unusual situation, one where the island commissioner may have felt the need to discuss the matter with his boss or vice versa. Remember on these small island communities everyone is related to each other and everyone interacts with each other unlike here in New Providence. If someone's son is arrested and being shipped off to a big jail in Nassau it is only natural, human nature for the parents or relatives of that person to contact whom they perceive as the most powerful person on the island. He in turn would make enquiries and attempt to resolve the matter. If his only input after reviewing the facts is to advise the island commissioner that in light of an appeal he has the right or power to grant bail then where is the interference? Was justice miscarried? The message the FNM is sending is if your son or your daughter gets in problems with the law, don't even bother to call us. "Let dey ass go to jail!"
duppyVAT 9 years ago
Those islands have a wild wild west mentailty ....... symptomatic of the Haitian, Jamaican, Cuban, DR and TCI influence on those island histories
John 9 years, 1 month ago
Don't ever forget how many mullion$ the FNM's "stop, review and cancel" policy cost this country. Have they never requested a recount after an election? Was this considered "interference "?
proudloudandfnm 9 years ago
Well today we now know Gray called the administrator twice and ordered the guy released outright.
In essence Gray assisted a prisoner to escape jail....
Gray is a criminal....
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