The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said investigations into allegations of judicial interference levied against MICAL MP V Alfred Gray will be complete this week with the final part of the probe being the police chief’s review of the case file.

Mr Greenslade told The Tribune yesterday that the only element missing from the RBPF’s ongoing probe was a statement from Mr Gray who was expected to be interviewed between yesterday evening and today. This had not taken place up to press time, officials confirmed.

After investigators have taken Mr Gray’s statement, Mr Greenslade said he will consult with his executive team and then take a position on whether anyone should face charges before the court based on the findings. The lead investigator on the case is a superintendent who worked closely with acting Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, the commissioner said.

“We have made significant progress with the case file,” Mr Greenslade said during an interview at police headquarters.

“The investigation has progressed to a stage now where I am of the view that as early as today or (Thursday) I will have that file in my care for proper review.

“Certainly (then) having consulted with my senior team I will take a position as to how we go forward. But I am very satisfied that the investigation has progressed to a stage where we are almost complete.”

In March, the opposition Free National Movement raised concerns that Mr Gray might have used his position to have a man in his constituency freed, following conviction and sentencing. It is claimed that Mr Gray contacted Mayaguana island Administrator Zephaniah Newbold, the sentencing magistrate, to offer “legal advice”.

However, according to media reports Mr Newbold has said he released the convicted youth outright “after an order came forth.” He said the young man had not been released on bail as Mr Gray had claimed.

The FNM has called for Mr Gray’s full dismissal from Cabinet as minister of agriculture and marine resources. Last month Mr Gray asked Prime Minister Perry Christie to relieve him of the local government portfolio, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, who has been retained by Mr Gray, released a statement yesterday defending his client. In the statement, he noted that Family Island administrators are not legally trained.

He added that Mr Gray’s obligation as MICAL MP is first to the citizens residing in his constituency. Mr Munroe said Mr Gray will always be accessible to them.

“The Family Island administrator is administratively placed in the Ministry of Local Government by virtue of his appointment; is not legally trained and does not usually possess the relevant qualifications to be appointed a stipendiary and circuit magistrate; and in the discharge of any judicial function is neither mentioned nor the subject of any protection afforded by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Mr Munroe’s statement said.

“V Alfred Gray is the current sitting member of Parliament with responsibility of representing the citizens of the Mayaguana district; was at the material time also the minister with the portfolio responsibility for local government; and was at all times in accordance with his responsibilities to be first concerned with the representation of the citizens residing in the Mayaguana district,” Mr Munroe added.

The statement went on to respond to calls for Mr Gray’s resignation from Cabinet.

“These suggestions have continued even after the commencement of the investigation and before the conclusion of the same. It should be clear that the persons calling for the removal either did not consider or else are not concerned with what may be established as the facts.

“It appears that they have no regard or concern for what may be the actual facts other than an attempt to appear optically effective.

“V Alfred Gray is confident that the facts that will be revealed by any investigation and will vindicate that he acted properly in his function as a minister of government,” Mr Munroe said.