EDITOR, The Tribune
WE ARE appalled at the unmitigated gall of Fred Mitchell in attacking Tribune columnist Adrian Gibson in the House of Assembly today about two columns he wrote seeking an inquiry into the death of my son, Christopher Prescott Adderley, while on remand in Haiti.
Christopher was a pilot and had only travelled to Haiti to quickly return upon pick up of another pilot, Hughie Gray.
As we sat here in Long Island listening to Mr Mitchell’s contribution in the House today, our mouths hit the floor. We are of the view that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did very little to help our son. Mr Mitchell ignored my pleas and sent me from one person to another - who didn’t respond - as I begged for help for my son. I begged them to take medical supplies to him.
Mr Mitchell could now talk, but where was his voice when we needed him?
We have, via Mr Gibson, released copies of cheques we sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Whatsapp messages between ourselves and the official in Haiti who was handling the bribes requested. He was the facilitator in this entire episode. The bribes all passed through the MOFA with the knowledge of officials in Haiti. We have published the receipts. We can give him all of the Whatsapp messages if he wants them.
Mr Mitchell now claims that he was sent an email by our family stating that they do not support Mr Gibson. Nothing could be further from the truth. What’s more, Mr Gibson is our family. His grandmother and my father are siblings. I taught him from grades seven to 12.
We support Mr Gibson 100 per cent. I gave him access to my email account. I gave him the copies of the cheques. I facilitated the interview between him and Hugh Gray Jr. That is a fact.
I am a grieving mother. Mr Mitchell has yet to answer the many questions we have concerning my son’s death, his nonchalant approach to me this entire time and his failure to provide any information thus far. We have yet to hear from him. I need closure.
Adrian and ‘Scottie’ grew up in Long Island together. They are cousins. They grew up like brothers.
In saving himself, Fred Mitchell needs not to mislead the public from the floors of the House of Assembly. We call upon Fred Mitchell to conduct a proper investigation into my son’s death rather than twisting and mis-characterising this circumstance and the efforts of my cousin and former student, Mr Gibson, to assist our family. We will not allow that.
We await your answers Mr Mitchell. We beg that you answer. I beg you, Sir, address the issues Adrian raised in his two Tribune columns.
I need closure, Sir. I do not need for you to deflect and lose sight of the issue by seeking to confuse the public.
SHARON ROSEMARY ADDERLEY
Long Island
March 21, 2016
Comments
birdiestrachan 8 years, 1 month ago
I am very sorry for Ms: Adderley. but I can never understand why she and her relative Adrian Gibson never went to Haiti to see her son. She was according to her sending so much money to Haiti to whom? she did not know. I can never understand why they never went to see her young son. I know his death is hard to deal with.
Sickened 8 years, 1 month ago
Good luck! Mr. Mitchell really doesn't care.
However, if your son was being held in an exotic location, Mitchell surely would have made the effort to fly over, with a contingent... first class of course.
DonAnthony 8 years, 1 month ago
Fred Mitchell is a complete disgrace, to attack a grieving Bahamian mother is the lowest of the low. It is why he is wholly ill suited to be our foreign minister, he is so " thin skinned" only concerned with his own ego rather than the welfare of our citizens. The truth is our foreign ministry failed this young man and did not see that he received adequate medical care, on one occasion because it was too far to drive to visit him in prison. He did not need to die, but minister Mitchell does not care about poor black men, every other week he is in Beverley Hills hosting a dinner for Sidney Poitier, when he should be working to improve and even save the lives of Bahamians. He is simply pathetic.
EasternGate 8 years, 1 month ago
True
My2cents 8 years, 1 month ago
Fred Mitchell could have been more sensitive toward this woman for sure...but Gibson is the real disgrace here. I'm sure the mother discussed her son's situation with Gibson prior his demise. But Gibson said nothing publicly, while regularly using his column to bring attention to all other alleged human rights infringements of foreigners. Why not his friend? He seems more concerned with scoring points against Mitchell...which really makes him no better, or any less disrespectful toward his friends mother.
SP 8 years, 1 month ago
Waiting for help and hope isn't working out very well is it?
jackflash 8 years, 1 month ago
Why was he locked up in the first place?
birdiestrachan 8 years, 1 month ago
The big time human rights lawyer and family member. never went to see him? now after the fact he seeks to cast blame. It seems the young man was there eight months. I am very sorry he died. But Mr:Gibson and his mother should have some responsibility, They knew Mr: Mitchell was not going. and according to the reports he spoke to her when ever she called him. He could have told the secretary to take a message .Gibson is making this mans death into a political foot ball It is to bad he has decided to do this. .
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