The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Senator Darren Henfield says it’s time for former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to move on following the party’s decision to drop him as its Killarney candidate.

While Mr Henfield declined to address Dr Minnis’ criticism of the decision directly, he acknowledged the difficulties the former leader faced in office and credited him for his efforts.

“I believe Dr Minnis had a very tough time in office,” he told reporters. “A Churchillian time in office. Only Churchill in the Commonwealth had a rougher time in office than he did. I believe that he did. He did his best. We did our best. I believe that he did a good job under the circumstances in which we face, but it’s time to move on.”

Mr Henfield’s comments come amid ongoing fallout from Dr Minnis’ exclusion, which was confirmed last week by FNM leader Michael Pintard. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions within the party and deepened long-standing tensions between the two men.

Dr Minnis responded to the decision in a statement on Sunday, accusing the party of abandoning its democratic traditions.

“The attempt to forcibly end my service to the people of Killarney does not reflect the democratic traditions upon which our party was built,” he said.

Mr Henfield, who Dr Minnis appointed to his Cabinet, defended the party’s internal process.

“There’s a process in the Free National Movement for the selection of candidates,” he said. “We have followed that process, as far as I’m aware.”

Despite the party’s decision, Dr Minnis said he continues to receive strong support from constituents and is still weighing his political future.

“I have always taken seriously my duty to Killarney,” he said. “That work is not yet complete.”

While he has not committed to running as an independent, his statement left open the possibility of seeking re-election outside the FNM.