DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has taken grave exception to The Tribune conducting what he has called a “shameful” smear campaign against him by publishing from affidavits of covert recordings filed in the Supreme Court last week that suggest he had a close relationship with two criminals, who were delegated to protect Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard’s interests in the Bahamas.
The Deputy Prime Minister called The Tribune’s publication of the affidavit irresponsible and accused the newspaper of creating political mischief.
The five videos filed in court are a part of a string of allegations detailed in the affidavit from John Joseph DiPaolo, a Fort Lauderdale investigator paid for by Save The Bays. Mr DiPaolo, along with a team of retired FBI, Scotland Yard and Bahamian investigators, concluded that Mr Nygard paid Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma to harass Save the Bays and commit criminal acts, The Tribune reported on Friday
“The information which has been revealed by a recorded conversation between Canadian businessman, investor and resident of The Bahamas, Peter Nygard, and two of his employees, has sent a shiver down the spine of all right-thinking Bahamians,” said FNM Shadow Attorney General Richard Lightbourn, in a statement today.
“The recording, which has been widely circulated within the country, raises very serious issues concerning perceived interference with the legal process and the security of our citizens. There seems little doubt that the recordings are genuine and as such require the immediate attention of our police Department and the Attorney General’s office. There are also serious issues raised concerning Mr Nygard’s relationship with senior political figures in the country which should immediately be addressed by the authorities,” said Mr Lightbourn.
It is for this reason that The Tribune did its public duty by informing Bahamians of what has been whispered on the streets for months. Not only is it chilling information, but for the sake of this country it is a matter that needs urgent attention — and resolution.
On Friday, Mr Davis said: “The use of an untested affidavit to make allegations that smear my character is irresponsible. It is astounding that a newspaper of record would stoop to such nonsense. This is indeed a new low even for The Tribune. I condemn it.”
It is obvious that the affidavit is untested — The Tribune never pretended that it was. The very reason that it is now before the court is for it to be tested, and not remain some idle smear campaign. However, if there is any truth in any of the many allegations now before the court, this country has moved from one insidious era of “Bahamas for Sale” to a repeat performance, but this time with alleged criminal overtones.
If the publication of this information has done nothing else – particularly if there is any truth to any of these allegations – the instigators will now run for cover and the pressure will be taken off those who were being forced for a price to compromise the future of The Bahamas.
Mr Davis said the only conclusion he could come to for The Tribune “printing the affidavit was to create political mischief. This kind of political gamesmanship is unbecoming. It is clear from the morning daily story that I have no connection to this matter, so it is clear that the only intention is to smear.”
In printing this article, The Tribune was not trying to create political mischief. It was trying to save this country and its people from what appeared — if true — highway robbery. Already there had been too much shadow boxing, which got bolder and bolder behind the scenes until it broke out into paying some of our vendors to stuff Nygard propaganda into The Tribune as if it were a part of the newspaper. We quickly nipped that in the bud.
It was then followed by the hate-filled marches, which allegedly, according to court documents, were underwritten by Mr Nygard. This drew Bahamians into the mix. Bahamians at this level were not prepared to accept such uncivil behaviour. Eventually the pandora’s box was pried open. Out spilled a road map that if carried to conclusion promised the ruination of this country to fulfil one man’s dream. If any of the filed documents are to be believed several members of our government were caught in the web of intrigue.
“I express my deepest disapproval of this level of uncivil, indecent, uncultured act by The Tribune crafted in their haste to spew lies,” said Mr Davis.
There was nothing uncivil, indecent, or uncultured in The Tribune’s decision to publish. This is the duty of a serious newspaper. We do not stand in judgment on the content of any of these affidavits — this is for the court to prove or disprove. However, it is a newspaper’s duty to alert its readers to the dangers that are lurking in dark corners — even to the halls of parliament.
The Tribune was looking to smear no one. The Tribune was doing its civic duty in informing citizens of allegations of serious, even criminal plotting going on behind closed doors. We repeat that we do not know how much, or if any part of these allegations — although there are video and taped recordings of many conversations — are true. It is not our duty to determine what is true or false. The Tribune has done its duty by warning our citizens of what is alleged to be going on in our country. Having done our duty, it is now up to the courts to urgently hear and test the allegations and arrive at a verdict.
However, we want to alert the public that we are not going to allow them to debate the pros and cons of the accusations in the columns of this newspaper. That prerogative belongs solely to the courts. The matter is now sub judice – that is under judicial consideration, thus prohibited from public discussion elsewhere – including the columns of a newspaper. Other than publishing what is on the public record, the weighing of the truth of that record is out of our hands and will not be discussed in The Tribune.
However, we urge that this matter be treated with the utmost haste because it has already started to take its toll in the columns of newspapers abroad.
And so, Mr Davis, The Tribune is ashamed of nothing. It has done its duty by the Bahamian people, who have the right to know.
And as for that commentator on Tribune242 who suggested that the late Sir Etienne Dupuch would now be turning in his grave because of The Tribune’s exposure of these grave happenings, we can assure him that Sir Etienne would be dancing with pride that his heirs had lived up to this newspaper’s motto — “being bound to swear to the dogmas of no master” — and the upholding of our belief that the people have the right to know.
Without a Freedom of Information Act, The Tribune will continue the uphill struggle to keep the Bahamian people well informed.
And so we make no apologies —The Tribune has discharged its duty to the Bahamian people.
Comments
realfreethinker 8 years, 1 month ago
Thanks for letting us know what goes on in our country. If Brave has an issue he needs to take it up with those who filed the writ. The tribune just printed public information that anyone has access to.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
Kudos to the Tribune ................ more investigative journalism is needed in our country
Zakary 8 years, 1 month ago
The young ones should watch carefully and see the type of country our so called leaders are running. We can weave history and spin things all we want but reality doesn't lie.
TigerB 8 years, 1 month ago
Thank you as well ..I often watch ZNS news, for what ever reason stories like that one will not make their headlines. Glad this news paper did bring it to light. Now we watch and see who will lie they way outta it
Honestman 8 years, 1 month ago
This country would fall into the abyss were it not for The Tribune and The Guardian holding our grubby politicians to account. Keep up the good work. Truth ultimately wins.
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
....... Piracy Refecti, Commercii Destructa - "Piracy Restored, Commerce Destroyed"......
paul_vincent_zecchino 8 years, 1 month ago
This is why many of us read the Tribune, because you tell it straight.
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 1 month ago
Congratulations also. It is now time for a Commission of Inquiry to determine what should happen to Senior MP's involved in this sort of thing. Brave has had his say but we haven't hear from PGC and we are anxiously waiting for a denial ( like Brave ) or a Mea Culpa. Not much question about a Mea Culpa. Resignation will not be adequate in these circumstances. Time is what is needed now. Up So !
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 1 month ago
This article could titled "Dear John"
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
....... and it is so ironic that the PLP are in the House today debating a farcical "financial mid-term report" in March ......... when the Budget is due in May ......... what bloody jokers!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is high time that the Tribune do some insider research to find out how the Budget was managed this 2015-16 fiscal year ........... that will be fun to read .......... like NEMA money on the hurricane relief ............ where did the NINE million dollars from "donations and gifts" go???????
Emac 8 years, 1 month ago
I have been following the Tribune from the time I was able to read. My parents were stern PLPs but they never once scolded me for voting FNM or speaking out against the ruthless PLP. As a matter of fact, my mother always encouraged me to register and vote. She used to tell me that I was an adult and can make up my own mind. At that time I was living in Shirlea and I remember Bradley Roberts, the PLP candidate for that constituency, visiting our house giving us gifts and lil spending money, just because we were one of the few black families in the area. It was the norm for black families to vote PLP in the mainly "white" Shirlea area. Even then I was smart enough to see thru his shallow and slick ways. Needless to say, I always voted for Pierre Depuch, who was the FNM candidate at that time.
jus2cents 8 years, 1 month ago
Thank you Tribune for doing your civic duty (I wish more did their civic duty!) we all rely on the fourth estate to keep us informed.
The Tribune is merely reporting and informing us about what is happening in the Bahamian Courts.
The bluster, noise and bellowing is to be expected, however, if anyone feels 'victimized' should they not be happy to answer any charges in court?
asiseeit 8 years, 1 month ago
The Tribune has done the country a great service and for that I am Thankfull! Thank you and please let this be the tip of the iceberg. Bahamian politicians have become the single greatest threat to The Bahamas there is, we need to keep a very close eye on their nefarious ways.
butlers 8 years, 1 month ago
So well put..... and true
John 8 years, 1 month ago
The fat lady has not sung yet...
Publius 8 years, 1 month ago
Why is the Tribune stopping our ability to comment on these articles? One article after the other one, user comments have been wiped out and commenting closed. Is it that it is not in certain groups' interests to have numerous comments that are actually analyzing what we are being told?
John 8 years, 1 month ago
The Tribune is swearing to the dogmas of its masters...@ Publis
christee 8 years, 1 month ago
Thanks to the Tribune for bringing this matter to light. This is the only way Bahamians will know what is going on in the dark corners. Publius, I understand why they have not allowed commenting on some articles. This matter is before the courts and we must be careful of the speculations in these forums. It is the right thing to do.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
.......... but will that mean anything???????? ............... the COP will smooth things over and the AG Office will smother anything against the Cabinet ...... so the Fourth Estate will again be toothless and ineffective.. ....... there is no Freedom of Information Act in force here
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 1 month ago
sheeprunner12: in that case we need to riot !
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