Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson.
By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Deputy Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
AFTER facing calls for him to resign or be fired for his public criticism over Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ delay in appointing a substantive chief justice, State Legal Affairs Minister Elsworth Johnson apologised for making the comments, telling reporters it was the “wrong” forum to have done so.
The former Bahamas Bar Association president further revealed he met with the prime minister where he also apologised in private.
Mr Johnson also said he “totally” supported Dr Minnis and the work of his administration.
The apology came after critics, particularly Damian Gomez – former state legal affairs minister in an interview with The Nassau Guardian - said Mr Johnson should either resign or be fired for publicly calling on the prime minister to appoint someone to the post of chief justice, as opposed for speaking to him privately. He said the comments were “ill advised.” Former Court of Appeal President Dame Joan Sawyer has also chastised Mr Johnson, calling his comments “inappropriate” as a member of Cabinet.
However, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis took a different tone. While he said he would not get into the issue of Mr Johnson’s apology or whether he was out of line, the Official Opposition leader said the Yamacraw MP had been “courageous” enough to speak publicly to a lingering issue. Earlier this week, Mr Davis said his party agreed with Mr Johnson’s position on the matter.
Asked about this issue again yesterday, Dr Minnis did not respond to any questions fielded by reporters.
“My mantra on coming into politics has always been to fear God with a holy fear, to maintain my integrity and obviously as I serve my country to have the confidence of my prime minister,” Mr Johnson told reporters outside the House of Assembly, where the body of former parliamentarian Theresa Moxey-Ingraham was laying in state.
“I do realise that the forum used to express my sentiments were totally wrong.
“I have met with the prime minister. I have apologised to him and so in that vein I am a man so I apologise to my colleagues and to the country. It’s a learning experience but in this you can’t make too many mistakes and so for that I want to say that I do apologise to the prime minister. The forum was inappropriate and may God continue to bless the Bahamas.”
Asked to how he felt about the leadership of Dr Minnis, Mr Johnson said: “Only to say I totally support him and that’s my comment.”
On Tuesday, the Nassau Guardian published an interview with Mr Johnson where he said the right, transparent and accountable thing to do is for the prime minister to exercise his constitutional authority and appoint a chief justice.
He said the converse would be to allow to allow the office, which is not above reasonable criticism, to be subjected to observations and sentiments that may not be in the best interest of the administration of justice.
“I bet you if a foreign person was brought in to fill the office that, that individual would be given a full substantive appointment and provided with all of the benefits that the office carries,” Mr Johnson said earlier this week.
“We must work to remove this self-loathing and nihilistic mind-set that undermine our creativity and enterprise as a people.
“The right, transparent and accountable thing to do is for the PM to exercise his constitutional authority and appoint a chief justice.”
He went on to assert that in dealing with the administration of justice there should be absolutely nothing done directly or indirectly to undermine it. He said the right and just thing to do is to fill the vacancy especially when there is “street” talk surrounding the appointment.
Late last month, current BBA President Khalil Parker suggested the constant undermining of democracy has pushed the country to an existential and constitutional crisis.
In an article titled “Our Judiciary Must Be Unfettered,” Mr Parker detailed a longstanding “insidious process” underpinned by sweeping abuses of power by the government, a sleeping legislature, and what he defined as “slow and steady” attempts to create a compromised and impotent judiciary.
Stephen Isaacs was sworn in as acting chief justice last December.
The lack of a substantive chief justice has also rankled some lawyers. In February, Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis urged his colleagues to meet at the Supreme Court, abandoning their schedules for the day to show solidarity against the “ongoing disregard for justice, fairness and integrity.”
Magistrate Rolle-Davis was later joined by a handful of attorneys as well as another magistrate in protest.
Comments
Alex_Charles 6 years ago
He was right. Party politics can be cancerous
joeblow 6 years ago
If you think before you speak you won't have to issue apologies so readily, especially if you meant what you said! I am sick and tired of people offering apologies, for self preservation, so quickly after saying EXACTLY what they meant!!
It shows they lack character!
TalRussell 6 years ago
Ma Comrades, Is this now the real buckling under pressure "Mr Johnson" back-stepping making Minnis once again great prime minister.... you tell me if "Mr Johnson" doesn't sound lots likes when former red party chairman Daron Cash was having he own suckin' up on and off love/hate affair with Minnis... you tells me? Balls they sure as hell lacks when if you are not prepared fight your own convictions - how then can the now disenfranchised 91,409 citizens who voted red on 10th May 2017 be expected trust you fight them? God himself has be feeling all red shirts disfranchisement.... he done ripped up his red party's membership card.
birdiestrachan 6 years ago
Johnson is afraid of doc. so he brings the good Lord into his politics. He is afraid doc will do a Chipman on him. Trump like. That is why all of them called Moultrie's wrong right and they all signed on to the OBAN contract.
Was doc saluting when he came off the plan in the family Island. doc has started to believe he is trump.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years ago
Why on earth would Minnis say:
Throughout the Bible it is made abundantly clear that only ungodly, unrighteous and unrepentant men need fear the wrath of God. Is Minnis confessing to all of us that he is ungodly, unrighteous and unrepentant?
A godly, righteous and repentant man should be basking in the glory and love of God with no reason whatsoever to fear his wrath. It seems Minnis has either spent too much time in the wrong church or had a Freudian slip of the tongue regarding his own sinful ways.
bogart 6 years ago
fear = convergence of awe...reverence...adoration...honour...worship...confidence...thankfullness...love...and yes fear.
Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years ago
The liberal academics behind the Merriam-Webster and Oxford dictionaries have an agenda all unto themselves in their keen desire to continue encouraging common usage of the phrase: "The fear of God."
TalRussell 6 years ago
The red shirts politicians does leaves Comrades Merriam, Webster and Oxford's behinds in da dust with their closer than any living or dead PLP's relationship between their vain attempts at using religion and humor as they in touch Jesus's crutch.... but back then it was easier fool fuller than now bellies of 91,409 gullible voters on 10th May 2017, right... now that is some genuine local humour of the fifth degree... but harder laugh when belly lacking access regular meals.
sheeprunner12 6 years ago
Still waters run deep ........... These neophyte politicians better be careful of HAM
bluesky 6 years ago
Another one bites the dust. Muffled.
EasternGate 6 years ago
These lawyers are a bunch of hypocrites! These suckers are always trying to compromise the judiciary. They want weak justices or justices that the are chummy with!
bogart 6 years ago
...tend to agree with you EastrnGate and there is the fraternity, cliques, political leaning ones, family connected, poltical and family connected and any number of combinations, connections, secret, open or otherwise ....camaigners lobbyist who would want their person nominated that in itself cast a shadow on any person appointed in the heat of the moment even though they may be the best choice. Extremely untold damage on publictly and insensitively.? showing up your boss in a indecision to not yet select an unbiased qualified person for high office rendering decisions.
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