By TANEKA THOMPSON
Tribune News Editor
tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
EMBATTLED Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) MP for MICAL V Alfred Gray has been relieved of his Cabinet post as minister responsible for local government amid a police investigation into allegations that he used his power to interfere with the judicial process.
However he still retains his post as minister of agriculture and marine resources.
Prime Minister Perry Christie made the announcement in the House of Assembly this morning.
“In reference to the allegations recently made against Minister Alfred Gray, the member for MICAL, I am advised that the honourable attorney general has referred the matter to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for a thorough investigation,” Mr Christie said. “As a result of this development, Minister Gray has invited me to relieve him of his ministerial responsibility for local government pending the outcome of the police investigation.
“In all the circumstances, I consider that this is the correct thing to do.”
The prime minister said he has advised Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to transfer the local government portfolio from Mr Gray to Minister of Financial Services Hope Strachan.
“This change will take place with immediate effect. The member for MICAL is to be commended Mr Speaker for his responsible approach to this matter,” the prime minister added. “This is to be favourably contrasted, Mr Speaker and clearly this Parliament will be plunged into this kind of debate, with cases under the former administration involving allegations of serious and major impropriety on the part of various ministers in separate and unconnected matters. In none of these cases did any of these FNM ministers stand down from all or any part of their ministerial position pending the outcome of any investigation that may have taken place.”
Mr Christie also read into the record a letter given to him today by Mr Gray. In that letter, Mr Gray said the allegations against him are false but urged the prime minister to launch an impartial, independent investigation into the accusations.
Mr Gray also wrote that he expects to be vindicated at the end of the investigation.
A statement released today by the Office of the Attorney General confirmed that Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson has referred the matter to police for investigation.
“The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in its Preamble and elsewhere enshrines an abiding respect for the rule of law. Fundamental to the rule of law is the separation of powers and independence of the judiciary. Allegations of executive interference have been levied against a minister of government in relation to a matter involving a resident of Mayaguana.
“The attorney general today referred this matter to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for a thorough investigation,” the statement said.
Mr Gray has been under fire since the Free National Movement accused him of abusing his power after he contacted the Mayaguana island administrator last week to offer what Mr Gray has called “legal advice” regarding a young man convicted in his constituency. Although Mr Gray has confirmed that he did contact the island administrator, he has strongly denied that he in any way attempted to sway the course of justice.
It was claimed by the FNM that following a phone conversation between Mr Gray and administrator Zephaniah Newbold, the latter granted the release of the man he had convicted just days earlier. Mr Newbold is a local magistrate.
See Thursday’s Tribune for more on this story.
BELOW: The letter sent by V Alfred Gray to Prime Minister Perry Christie (click to enlarge)
Comments
asiseeit 9 years, 8 months ago
Why do our immature politicians always point fingers when they are caught with their pants down. Most mature people learned in kindergarten that two wrongs do not make a right. We also learned that if little johnny does something stupid, it does not mean that it is OK for yourself to do something stupid. I mean this stuff is taught before grade school, yet our politicians still think they can pawn off their transgressions with the old "Nanny, Nanny, Boo, Boo, you did it so I could too". What are they still in preschool?
jackbnimble 9 years, 8 months ago
Isn't this the second incident in which the Minister was caught "with his pants down" - the first, of course, being literally? I recall that he also declared his innocence in that case and threatened to file a Writ which, of course, never found it's way to court.... hmmmmm.
Cobalt 9 years, 8 months ago
Lol lol lol!!! Sure nuff you right!
abacogrouper 9 years, 8 months ago
“As a result of this development, Minister Gray has invited me to relieve him of his ministerial responsibility for local government pending the outcome of the police investigation." Am I missing something here? Why does Mr. Gray have to invite the Leader of this country (his Boss) to relieve him? Could you imagine an employee asking his/her employer to please fire them for doing something wrong. Couldn't you just leave on your own if you felt that bad about it? Just an observation.
jackbnimble 9 years, 8 months ago
We're talking about spineless Perry Christie here. Why are you shocked? Has he ever "fired" anyone for wrongdoing? They always somehow agree to step down. Hmph!
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 8 months ago
Even Christie's wife can only wish he had balls as big as Ingraham's bulging eyes!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Ingraham's eyes are very big. You are asking for a miracle
Cobalt 9 years, 8 months ago
Lol lol lol!! Man y'all killin me taday!!
xtreme2x 9 years, 8 months ago
PC...have no balls
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
Comrades, if what is now being reported as what transpired during conversations between Minister V. Alfred and the "Acting" Magistrate, turn out to be the real facts, then it's fair to say that every account reported in The Tribune and other media sources, were about as inaccurate as they could have misreported. How could they have gotten it, so damn wrong?
But I do have a reasonable question for the Rt. Honourable PM. PM, taxpayers now want to know if this means Minister Hope Strachan, will now receive "two separate paychecks" from the people's public treasury, one for each ministry? What about two ministerial expense accounts? And, PM, I gotta ask this one too. Will "two Ministers" Hope, now get two government cars with two taxpayers chauffeurs? Somebody had ask. right.
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
It appears likely that a criminal act was committed on the part of Minister Gray by interfering with a judicial matter. Please refer to the excellent article on the Nassau Guardian website today. The Mayaguana administrator Mr. Newbold has told the guardian that minister gray contacted him twice on this matter in fact the quote from the guardian is:
Yesterday, Newbold said, “The ball is not in my court right now. I didn’t order him on bail. As far as I am concerned, he was ordered free. He was set free. “As far as I understand, he is not on bail. I ordered him to be set free. Whatever order came forth, I set him free.”
This directly contradicts Minister Gray and if true he should be prosecuted.
duppyVAT 9 years, 8 months ago
The Long Island White Boy who VAG recently fired is laughing loud right now!!!!!!!
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
Yes, Minister Gray will reap what he has apperantly being sowing for awhile, but if our Long Island friend had spoken up as well perhaps he would have kept his post in crooked island.
Tommy77 9 years, 8 months ago
Well said.
http://s04.flagcounter.com/mini/kfoW/bg…" style="display:none">
duppyVAT 9 years, 8 months ago
Will Interpol be involved???????? Will VAG and the Administrator's cellphone records be checked????? Will court documents be surrendered?????? Will BJs NIA be overseeing the investigation????????
Perry really did not say anything of worth ................. its a political sham again leaving the COP with dirty policians' shit to clean up ............ and become the scapegoat for inaction.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 8 months ago
After 8 years serving as PM Perry still don't get it.
You are supposed to fire Gray. Not accept an invitation...
Can we please get this half assed party out of office now!?!?
Damn! No government in our history has been this out of touch with reality....
atwr 9 years, 8 months ago
NOT ACCEPTABLE! We the Bahamian people expect a full resignation not just from the cabinet!
Regardless 9 years, 8 months ago
It is difficult finding vacant and safe church parking lots these days.....
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
@John, "the individual who suggested" seems to have been on target. Just holding out for a full resignation now
John 9 years, 8 months ago
What a difference a day makes. If Gray is charged with a crime he will have to resign. Apparently he did more than gave advice to the Family Island Administrator/acting magistrate. His fate now awaits him.
duppyVAT 9 years, 8 months ago
Fifty shades of crooked VAG!!!!!!!!!!! What a hot mess!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Illegal gambling issue was foisted off onto Commissioner Greenslade too because Perry Christie did not have. the courage to do what should have been done. I wonder if this will go the route of that investigation ...,yes, I see that spinning wheel but that's not evidence of criminality. Because at this moment, I suspect the Prime Minister knows every single detail about this matter and has enough info to fire Mr Grey outright for whatever an honest police investigation would find.
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
Did you say 'honest police investigation'? OMG! ROFL!! A corrupt government HAS TO hire corrupt police in order to work. Nothing will come of this. This story is over!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
Yes, "honest police investigation". the Commissioner has already told us he's not in charge of the police force (jailhouse wedding saga). Hmmmm...kinda the same situation with Gray and the administrator...
bahamalove 9 years, 8 months ago
Just add this to the list of investigations that we will never hear anything about ever again. Our 'sweep everything under the rug' Attorney General probably tossed this in her garbage can as soon as she got it. Then PGC will give us some long-winded diatribe of excuses a few months from now when the media asks for an update on the 'investigation'. Bradley Roberts will fire off about how these same things occurred under the Arawaks, Woodes Rogers, the UBP and the FNM. Leslie Miller will go on about how the Mayaguana island administrator didn't pay his light bill but then he will backtrack on that statement the following day.
thomas 9 years, 8 months ago
THESE MEN ARE DESTROYING OUR COUNTRY AND GETTING RICH WHILE THEY DO IT. Who is the young man who was set free supposed to respect now? Will anyone around him respect the law? Innocent law abiding citizens who encounter this young man and others like him are let to suffer.
licks2 9 years, 8 months ago
This government is just dumb as a bag of rocks man! The PM said that Mr. Gray told him to relief him of his duties as MOLG. What rot is this. . .caught in a crime and he is left in one position while under investigation! What rot!!! Shame on PGC!!
birdiestrachan 9 years, 8 months ago
He who is without sin let him or her cast the first stone. The Bahamas is to full of self righteous sinners. and this includes all of the FNM;s sitting in the house.
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
Yes we know that Birdie, what about the allege crime that may have taken place, will you condemn Mr. Gray if he engaged as it appears in judicial interference?
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
I agree with you Birdie. But, do you agree that ALL criminals should be locked up??? Or do we have to start with the FNM's???
birdiestrachan 9 years, 8 months ago
Bahamians rejoice at what they consider the down fall of other just a little bit to much. It gives them to much joy.
birdiestrachan 9 years, 8 months ago
Don no more than I rejoiced when the FNM interfered with the Police and the Bare foot Bandit. You never did respond to the lies Fred Smith told like meeting with the US Senate and Congress. and the clothes immigrations officer wear. What the young man needs now is a good lawyer, so that he will not have to go to jail for three months for a minor offence,
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
Birdie you might be confused, Fred Smith said he was meeting in a senate building where the hearing was, not with the senate. If you have a quote or evidence otherwise please provide it and I will agree with you. Back to the matter at hand will you condemn judicial inter fence on the part of Minister Gray?
asiseeit 9 years, 8 months ago
I do not know weather or not to rejoice for you or weep for you but for a person to be so clueless in today's world is very special. I wish I could honestly still think like a child. Most exceptional!
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
Comrade the Rt. Honourable PM could have taken this resignation send a signal that he has hard the voices of the thousands calling for a much-needed revolution, in how government operates.
The PM had missed an opportunity to change the culture of how cabinet ministers are appointed. The PM could have appointed a sitting member from Her Majesty's opposition party, or the leader of the DNA, to fill V. Alfred's vacated cabinet position. This would have signaled that even when a party holds the majority of House of Assembly seats, there is room for opposition voices to be heard while sitting around the governing party's cabinet table.
Publius 9 years, 8 months ago
How the hell can a Minister now under police investigation as ordered by THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, still be a sitting member of the Cabinet?? His substantive post is Agriculture and Fisheries. Local Government was just a portfolio given to him as an additional job function. He is still a Cabinet Minister and hence has not resigned or been fired from anything.
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
Well said and an excellent point!
brolle 9 years, 8 months ago
I know this doesnt have anything to do with this post BUT have to find a place to put this..dont dsee a suitable place here. This is a link advising that Costa Rica has been using renewables sfor 75 days straight for electricity.http://www.globalpossibilit…
Why cant we find a way to improve our electricity flow? We need to lessen dependence on fuel.
Also, it is rumoured that Bahamar has built a plant at significant costs to remove itself from the grid and lower its costs of electricity by 30% using cold sea water but the BEC is refusing to allow them to get "off the grid" now as they need the revenue. Can anyone shed light on these issues?
Know that Mr. Gray is showing himself to be in a very " grey area" but as the country has other problems...
birdiestrachan 9 years, 8 months ago
Don Anthony it was in the tribune, what Fred Smith said it was reported in the Tribune that he Smith had meet with the senate.He told them how much money the US has invested in the Bahamas. And he was going to met with the congress. it was a great big lie. Now Minnis and the FNM;s want that young man to serve jail time, God and a good lawyer will help him. and there is nothing Minnis can do. He need not worry, Symonette is on his case.
DonAnthony 9 years, 8 months ago
Please find the article and post it if you can find it. If what you say is true then Fred smith was wrong and should apologize. Now again, will you condemn the alleged interference on the part of Minister Gray?
asiseeit 9 years, 8 months ago
Don, Birdie can not answer that question. She does not understand the gravity of the offense. Also if she does understand the gravity of the offense, it would go against her apologist nature towards her beloved PLP. They can do no wrong. Poor black fellow is just getting picked on. He meant well. They did it so this government can as well. Everyone just wants them to fail. This is a witch hunt, ect. ect. It is best to read what she says, have a chuckle and move on.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
You have one thing right. If Gray thought something was wrong his one action should have been to get the young man a competent lawyer. That's it. He cannot call the judge and tell him to change his ruling.
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
He look good eh Tal?:)
TalRussell 9 years, 8 months ago
Comrade Thisisours, one these days if the mood hits me, I might be tempted to post photos of Hubert, going back to the late1960's, 70's and 80's. One I am sure Hubert will remember, is a photo taken with him seated in the Poinciana Restaurant on Bay Street, next to former US vice president Hubert Humphrey. Hubert always had a keen interest in politics and one day becoming prime minister of our Bahamaland.
Publius 9 years, 8 months ago
The copy of V Alfred's letter confirms exactly what I said earlier. The media ought to stop suggesting that Gray resigned from anything or has been relieved of anything by way of substantive Ministerial portfolio. Nothing has changed for Gray except that he is getting the same pay with the same seat in Cabinet, just with less work now.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
shall we abandon ship or shall we stay on it or perish slow! we don't know! Captain you tell we what to do
The SS PLP is SINKNG.
Dr Minnis, Michael Pintard, Darren Cash, Dr Duane Sands for the good of our future as Bahamians I am begging you to work out your differences and get a plan in place for what you will do within in the first week, month, year. What is priority? Who is needed where? Forget friends and close buddies and who worked on the campaign and needs to be paid back. What needs to be done to rescue the Bahamas.
The PLP is breaking apart and someone must be ready to stand in the gap. We don't need jokers, we don't need power hungry men we need servants willing to work and direct us through the rough water PGC has steered us into.
Emac 9 years, 8 months ago
No one voting for the defunct FNM either. Shouldn't you be inviting a fresh new team with people who really care for Bahamians to come to the forefront of politics, instead of trying to raise up the dead? I am afraid that these greasy hands politicians are all void of good ideas in regards to moving this country forward and restoring the lil bit of dignity we once had.
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
I dunno. I like Dr Sands (yes I've said that a million times), but listen to him talk, he is VERY impressive and not just rhetoric, he has sensible realistic ideas. But he's not leader, he has no position, he's not the popular man on the team. But today I am really tired of popular people.
I admit I don't have the answers, I don't see anyone who fits the change completely. I'm praying for someone to stand in the gap
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
I truly believe that what we need is about 5 - 10 competent INDEPENDENTS to get seats. Then we will have checks and balances within the house.
realfreethinker 9 years, 8 months ago
This is shameful> When will the pm do something tangible. How could he still be in the cabinet whilst under investigation. The true test of collective responsibility would be if other members ask the pm to fire gray or they will resign in protest. Someone has to have a little balls in this country.
duppyVAT 9 years, 8 months ago
True .................. Cabinet collective responsibility has become collective disgrace
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 8 months ago
That's not gonna happen based on their silly display this afternoon...how were these people ever put forward as candidates...
duppyVAT 9 years, 8 months ago
Yes .................... this disgraceful Cabinet should be broadcast to the UN
Sickened 9 years, 8 months ago
Why isn't the U.S. stepping in and publishing all of the corruption that they have on the PLP and former FNM? They have evidence of sooo much and are not doing anything to help us.
CatIslandBoy 9 years, 8 months ago
I certainly hope that this spells the beginning of the end of VAG. I am sick and tired of reading of his rantings. The Bahamian public will be better served if he is no longer on the political landscape. He has done nothing, in his years of feeding at the public trough, to advance this country. Good riddance!
realfreethinker 9 years, 8 months ago
You are a real nut job. Why dont you just go away spare us the crap that comes off your fingers. POOF there goes the weasel.
shortpants 9 years, 8 months ago
sounds like general is the only slave on this page whom the slave masters keep inside,so his head is so deep up his ass that he can't even think nor see straight.They juice you bad aye.. .They scar the little boy bad.Only words he can remember is slaves................. Salvery
asiseeit 9 years, 8 months ago
Love the picture of the poor fellow that Birdie says is so innocent floating around on Facebook. I wonder where he got the Machine Gun from? Yep, the dread is holding a Machine Gun, innocent my foot!
duppyVAT 9 years, 8 months ago
Is this "generalcrazy" one of those old time Pindling goon squad generals hey??????? These are serious statements that should be investigated by the Tribune webmaster and the Police. The comments by "generalcrazy" are beyond distateful and offensive to right thinking Tribune readers ....... I call for this "generalcrazy" to be investigated for cyberbullying and publicly named, shamed and BANNED by this website.
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