Gomez would be interested in return to Cabinet

FORMER State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez.

As of Monday, December 21, 2015

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

CENTRAL and South Eleuthera MP Damian Gomez said yesterday that he is interested in returning to Cabinet after resolving the issues that prompted him to tender his resignation as state minister of legal affairs earlier this month.

The Tribune reported last week that his resignation was tied to financial issues connected with a commercial loan from the Bank of the Bahamas.

When pressed on the issue outside of the House of Assembly last Wednesday, Mr Gomez would only say he resigned from Cabinet due to a dispute with a government entity.

Mr Gomez yesterday confirmed reports in The Nassau Guardian that said the dispute involves a Grand Bahama commercial property, which the bank says is in foreclosure.

Mr Gomez has a 50 per cent interest in the company.

Given that the bank could seek advice from the Office of the Attorney General, Mr Gomez said it would be a conflict for him to remain the state minister for legal affairs.

He told The Tribune yesterday that if negotiations with the bank fail, he is likely to sue the financial institution.

“The matter is being dealt with,” he said yesterday. “Should negotiations fail then we will do something else. This may end up in court and my role in the Cabinet is as a lawyer and you can’t be fish and foul at the same time. It’s preferable that I resign and I’ve indicated to (Prime Minister Perry Christie) what my problem is and asked to be relieved of my duties.”

Asked if he wants to return to Cabinet after the matter is resolved, he said: “That’s up to (Mr Christie). One is always interested in serving one’s country. But the point is you never know how long this matter will be dragged out if it will be dragged out at all. We are at a delicate stage in the negotiations. I remain hopeful.”

As state minister for legal affairs, Mr Gomez had gained a reputation for championing good governance causes that did not always appear to be a top priority for the Christie administration’s agenda.

In addition to speaking out against the appearance of corruption, he recently said he would seek to get the administration committed to enacting campaign finance laws and creating a public disclosures system that would require parliamentarians to disclose their election contributions.

MonkeeDoo 8 years, 4 months ago

Talk to Loretta. She will be making the new Cabinet appointments early next year after the PLP implodes.

realfreethinker 8 years, 4 months ago

So you resigned from cabinet,but interested in rejoining ? How does that work ? Is he serious. Does these guys have any moral compass ?

newcitizen 8 years, 4 months ago

The guy has an actual conflict of interest, and due to that he resigned. The actual appropriate thing to do.

Once this conflict is resolved and he no longer has a conflict of interest then he would be interested in rejoining the cabinet.

It actually shows one of the better moral compasses within the government.

Emac 8 years, 4 months ago

Gomez, Gomez, Gomez! For God's sake please stay far, far away from politics as you can. You have no leadership qualities. You are wavering and flimsy: Your words cannot be trusted. Who knows where your loyalty lies??? Even Blind Blake can see that you are in for the money and the perks. Please go back to whence you cometh; the Bahamian people do bot need you!

TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago

Comrade Damian likes his former cabinet college Ryan had not immediately vacated his position as a crown minister - or did Damian done leave?
Tell me how it can be that if you wanted avoid da appearance of ministerial conflict, you are still allowed remain on your job, you know the same one you didn't want to bring conflict to?
Not sure how this works, maybe you keep your taxpayers driver and car - plus honouring taxpayers by receiving paychecks but you don't have show up for work?
But then again, there are lots long standing precedents for this type none senses in governments..
There was not too far back in time when that PLP crown minister who although was under investigation by the attorney-general's office, was allowed sit round the same cabinet table with the current AG during cabinet meetings?

realfreethinker 8 years, 4 months ago

They need time to "FIX" things before they leave office. If as you said Gomez,there is a conflict why not resign immediately ?

TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago

Comrade RealFreeThinker all this ammunition Red Shirts as the official opposition but how do they spend their time. I goin tell you.
Loretta spits from her leader and House colleagues on a House vote.
Shadow Ministers Dr. Andre and Renward, don't even show up in House to vote. Abaco's Edision I will excuse cuz he always been acting all red different since 2012 General.
Some official acting more likes my you knows what. The green party that don't got even one House seat is better organized.

birdiestrachan 8 years, 4 months ago

He is a good man. If he wants to serve his country what is wrong with that I wish him well in what ever he does.

TalRussell 8 years, 4 months ago

Comrades here's my "How Your Cabinet Functions" quiz's test for my dear Comrade Tribune readers and bloggers.
Okay here goes. See if you can spot then define what could be seen by some to conflict against the true meaning of the five operative words contained in the below statement - all da whilst remembering this all arouse over not wanting bring conflict to the crown.:

“The matter is being dealt with, he (Damian) said yesterday. Should negotiations fail then "we" will do something else. This may end up in court and my role in the Cabinet is as a lawyer and you can’t be "fish" and "foul" at the same time. It’s "preferable" that I resign and I’ve indicated to (Prime Minister Perry Christie) what my problem is and "asked" to be relieved of my duties.

The Tribune