CARLYLE BETHEL, the son of Attorney General Carl Bethel, attending the wedding on Friday.
A MINISTRY of Health communications officer was the groom at a wedding Friday that featured more than ten people, including a son of Attorney General Carl Bethel.
The event appeared to contravene Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ lockdown rules, with one eyewitness telling this newspaper she was disturbed by what she saw.
The Tribune can confirm that the Office of the Prime Minister did not grant an exemption for the event to take place with more than ten people as sanctioned in Dr Minnis’ emergency orders.
Neither the groom, Xavier Knowles, nor Mr Bethel’s son, Carlyle Bethel, commented on the matter for this article yesterday and Police Commissioner Paul Rolle could not be reached for comment up to press time.
The wedding was held in the eastern area of the island.
Dr Minnis announced in the House of Assembly last month that residents can now call confidential hotlines to report people hosting social gatherings.
Nonetheless, the eyewitness to Friday’s gathering said even though she contacted police after noticing the event, officers did not disrupt proceedings.
“I stopped and talked to two of the catering people who were going in the venue,” she said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “When I saw how many cars were on the road and how many people were going into this venue I was surprised because this is one of my huge pet peeves during this pandemic, these huge gatherings.”
The eyewitness said she saw a bus drop off guests at the site––a claim disputed by a person who attended the event. That attendee said police came and allowed the event to continue after being satisfied that social distancing protocols were being followed.
“When I questioned two of the catering people,” said the eyewitness, “I was initially told it was a funeral wake. I said this amount is not allowed at a funeral. When he realised I was questioning why the event was going on, he stormed off and went into the venue house. I must’ve seen, car wise, 20 to 25 cars parked on both sides of the road.
“I called the police. An officer said he would send somebody to shut it down and fine the person involved, but hours later I realised it was never shut down.”
“This absolutely should not have happened. My niece is about to get married at the end of this month. She initially invited 150 people to her wedding, but is allowed only ten people. I know somebody else whose daughter is getting married to the son of a very prominent person and they are not allowed more than ten people so no, this wedding should not have taken place. When an attorney general son is allowed to stand in a wedding of this size and there are no repercussions, then something is wrong.”
Comments
tribanon 3 years, 5 months ago
Clearly one set of laws for the wealthy ruling class and another set for the poor plebes.
The eyewitness whistle blower must surely be wondering why The Tribune has very deliberately refrained from revealing the easily verifiable full name of the groom and full maiden name of the bride. It seems even The Tribune is very much afraid of certain government officials these days. LOL
immigrant 3 years, 5 months ago
Everybody out East saw it. We all saw the police pull up and leave. That’s the problem with your lockdown tyranny Minnis...most of us are following protocols. However, instead of enforcing the laws for the few that don’t, you lock us all down cause that’s all your feeble brain and slack “Covid Ambassadors” are capable of.
stislez 3 years, 5 months ago
We always had a problem with classism......een nuttin change. Fact is rich and poor live and are judged by how much wealth they have.
bahamianson 3 years, 5 months ago
well, we can call it all manner of names, the wealthy...rich white people, the politicians etc. anyone with money or power gets to do what he wants to do, period!!! we act like this doesn't happen , or we can stop it. it will continue to happen , and you will never have the same rules.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 5 months ago
nobody have on mask and they holding hands...how can they say social distancing was in effect? The only people you could probably excuse are the bride and the groom.. hopefully they living in the same house...
well, get ready to get lock up for christmas. Buy the stuff you need in the commisary now. we'll see their Christmas party photos with junkanoo rushout on social media. and we'll hear about the police nothing to see here visit. Hopefully they let us in the yard for one hour to exercise...das how prison is work right?
Bahamabird 3 years, 5 months ago
Fortunately for young Mr. Bethel, his father has drafted a law that will allow him to avoid appearing in court and having a criminal record. He will simply have to pay a fine and avoid the "perp walk" and, importantly, the criminal record. It seems that under the FNM courts are only for the poor ... and political opponents (but that is a story for another day).
mandela 3 years, 5 months ago
In these times of denial, it's always best to pull out your phone and record.
DDK 3 years, 5 months ago
DISGUSTING DISPLAY of it's who you know in The Bahamas...
ted4bz 3 years, 5 months ago
Y’all stop freaking out, y’all being fooled because you all are fools. You are corralled because you are a herd. You accept political nonsense Because it’s easier than doing your own home work and checking things out for Yourselves. Stop complaining, It’s no ones fault but your own.
GodSpeed 3 years, 5 months ago
The rules are for YOU, not for them. This overblown PLANdemic is a joke that the gobal elite will use to enslave us all over the planet. If this virus was so deadly you wouldn't have to tell people to wear masks, social distance and stay inside. They'd see so many people dropping dead you'd have to beg them to come outside. Now that that the Socialist party is trying to steal the US election, their leader Joe Biden has already selected a PLANdemic Czar that has announced he intends to keep America locked down for months. So good luck with tourists. Of course the lockdown will be for the regular people not the politicians whose salaries will be on time.
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