Davis: I did not know Munroe represented deputy commissioners

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe.

As of Thursday, October 7, 2021

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis did not know that National Security Minister Wayne Munroe’s law firm represented two deputy commissioners of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in a 2019 lawsuit that sought to quash Charles Murphy’s appointment as commissioner of corrections before Mr Murphy was placed on administrative leave last week.

He told reporters yesterday he will speak to Mr Munroe about the issue to ensure “transparency” and that there “is no conflict.” He suggested that if the need arises, someone else in the administration will have to substitute for Mr Munroe when there is a potential conflict.

Mr Munroe, in a press statement last week, said Commissioner Murphy has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the facility’s handling of Prescott Smith, a prominent Progressive Liberal Party supporter who Mr Munroe believes may have been held at the prison in contravention of a Supreme Court order.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

Mr Murphy’s lawyer, Romona Farquharson Seymour, defended the prison’s handling of the matter during a press conference this week, saying Mr Smith’s lawyer did not show up to the prison with the proper release document, namely a release order. She said the prison was not at fault for the issues that resulted in Mr Smith remaining at prison longer than he should have.

She asked whether Mr Davis knew that Mr Munroe’s firm represented prison Deputy Commissioners Doan Cleare and Bernadette Thompson-Murray in a 2019 lawsuit that alleged that former National Security Minister Marvin Dames forced them to take vacation leave to facilitate the appointment of Mr Murphy, their deputy, as commissioner.

Mr Munroe spoke to The Tribune at length about that matter around the time the lawsuit was filed in 2019. This week, Mrs Farquharson Seymour said he was directly involved in the case, noting his name appeared on a document seeking leave from the Supreme Court to begin judicial review in the proceedings. She also noted that two weeks before the election, Munroe & Associates requested an adjournment in the matter.

Asked about Commissioner Murphy being put on administrative leave, Mr Davis said yesterday: “I was advised that steps had been taken to examine the hierarchy of the corrections institution, where we wish to carry that institution now from a punitive institution. Even though we have passed what I call a Corrections Institutions Bill, we still see it as very punitive; the leadership there is under review.

“I heard the issue about his (Mr Munroe’s) firm acting (on behalf of the deputy commissioners). I have not yet spoken to him about those issues but I will speak to him and ensure there is transparency and there is no conflict in whatever he’s doing. Otherwise, we would just have to, as it were, allow someone else to deal with issues relating to (that).”

Regarding the decision to put Commissioner Murphy on leave, Mr Davis said he was informed “that the leadership of the corrections institution was under review and it may have possibly required putting the leader on administrative leave”.

An administration official confirmed yesterday that Mr Davis did not know about the involvement of Mr Munroe’s firm in the lawsuit.

For his part, Mr Munroe has rejected the idea that he is biased towards his former clients.

Kanniagella 2 years, 6 months ago

Interessant! ))

John 2 years, 6 months ago

Justice was not be done, but must be seen to be done. Do not deny this man the opportunity to retire after years of dedicated service and receive his financial rewards. Especially if it is based of a personal desire to even a score. What is worse than victimization is when it is tic for fac or is done be someone who should know better.

stillwaters 2 years, 6 months ago

I think Wayne is now realizing how easy a job he had when he just needed to run to the news outlets complaining about....and denouncing everything.....he has a tougher job now on the other side of the fence.

TigerB 2 years, 6 months ago

The PM must not live here, he had much to say when those assistant comissioners were released by the then minister...

moncurcool 2 years, 6 months ago

Davis really take the Bahamian for fools and donkeys! I guess he does not read the newspaper of listen to the news media he talks to. And I guess he also did not know Munroe represented the 3 Assistant COP's that he also sent back to police headquarters.

New Day, Same Ole Crap!

ThisIsOurs 2 years, 6 months ago

Ok. Im going to say to Mr Munroe the same thing I said to Dr Sands, find a politically savvy ethical advisor. Your legal brain is too valuable to lose to some sensitive, but in the scheme of things, small issue. The Bahamas needs good, thinking, strategic people, reformed bad people are great too

mandela 2 years, 6 months ago

It would not have mattered who had become the minister of national security, Murphy had to GO. The PLP was clear from in opposition that they didn't approve of his appointment, and also the way it went down, and why have two deputies sitting home doing nothing on pay just so one man can continue to mess the prison up, I don't think so.

licks2 2 years, 6 months ago

The real issues here is that our PM sounds "shaddy". . .like the FNM used to sound just before the end of the election. . .when they were trying to "swing" people!! The PM attitude "gern south" fast fast!!

But , you are right. . .Murphy een fit to be in that job in the first place. . .we know doc "swing" that for him!! But our PM "sound like" he taking us for fools them man!!

tribanon 2 years, 6 months ago

Davis is skirting the real issue here and shirking his own responsibility as PM. Munroe has demonstrated a most serious flaw in his character which makes him unfit to serve as a cabinet minister, especially as minister of national security. There should be zero tolerance by Davis of the alarming kind of victimization inflicted by Munroe on Murphy.

This incident was not born from an innocent exercise of poor judgment by Munroe, but rather from a very deliberate and malacious act on his part that clearly rises to the level of gross abuse of political office and power. And if Davis does not insist on Munroe stepping down from his cabinet post, then Davis himself, as PM, becomes severely tainted by and must share great responsibily for Munroe's grave misconduct in this matter.

Davis promised us a New Day and here we see an important test of his leadership towards making good on that promise. Munroe must therefore be asked by Davis, and if need be forced, to resign as minister of national security. It is absolutely vital Davis send an unequivocal message to the Bahamian people that he and his government will be applying a zero tolerance policy towards all such egregious instances of victimization.

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