Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander speaking during the emergency press briefing on Friday and Prime Minister Philip 'Brave' Davis.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Prime Minister’s office received two anonymous calls on Friday from someone who made death threats against Prime Minister Phillip Davis, prompting a full-blown investigation.
Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said during an emergency press briefing at the Prime Minister’s office that the calls were made shortly after noon on Friday, adding that officers are following significant leads.
He also said the prime minister was in “good spirits” and told him he was not afraid despite being threatened.
“Both calls came in, one right after the other about 15 minutes apart, threatening to kill the nation’s leader,” he added.
“We, as Bahamians, it shouldn’t happen. When you’re talking about threatening the nation’s leader and we as Bahamians, how we got to this level in threatening individuals, and you can go beyond the prime minister and individuals and we take this very seriously.
“We are now reviewing the threat level so we can put some additional security measures in place along with our law enforcement partner and the team here from the defence force and so we are on top of this.”
He also pleaded with those responsible for the calls “to stop now,” saying police will not tolerate it and go after them with the full extent of the law.
On Wednesday, members and supporters of the Coalition of Independents, led by Lincoln Bain, protested outside Parliament about the immigration “crisis.”
Video of the protest circulated on social media.
In the video, a man in the crowd is heard threatening to kill Prime Minister Davis.
Asked if he believed the two events could be connected, Commissioner Fernander said officers could not rule out the possibility and added that it was something they were following.
In the meantime, Mr Davis is still expected to continue his normal duties – though he will be under stricter security.
“Prime Minister Davis has been appraised of the situation and additional security measures have been put in place,” Press Secretary Clint Watson said Friday.
“While the threat against the prime minister is being taken seriously, it is the current assessment of the prime minister's security team and the prime minister that he should continue with his normal duties and further assessments will be made once the investigation reveals further information.”
Comments
TalRussell 1 year, 2 months ago
We sure as hell won't tolerate threats made it against anyone be they against the elected or member the popoulaces, ---- Yes?
GodSpeed 1 year, 2 months ago
Must be a joke. Find the jokers and make examples out of them.
mandela 1 year, 2 months ago
Brave and his crew have to be doing something good and seem to be a threat to some fanatic.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 2 months ago
Do you recall when and why MPs were first allowed to carry firearms?
themessenger 1 year, 2 months ago
More red herrings and they stink more than conch slop. Who would want to harm the hamster?
hrysippus 1 year, 2 months ago
It is a sad indicment of the caliber of our country's politicians that many of the electorate will wonder if these purported threats are real or just yet another trick to distract from the dire and immediate challenges that face the continued existance of the country as a viable entity.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 2 months ago
Its definitely a distraction ploy whether or not it was real.
Cobalt 1 year, 2 months ago
Who cares? We have more critical issues that need addressed. Nobody cares about this idle, bullshit story. The Tribune needs to start conducting some actual investigative reporting instead of printing frivolous nonsense.
sheeprunner12 1 year, 2 months ago
Did anyone listen to how inarticulate this COP spoke?
How did he get so far in the Force? Politics????
stillwaters 1 year, 2 months ago
The majority of officers in our armed forces cannot write or speak in standard English.
stillwaters 1 year, 2 months ago
Get him some extra guards and then......please, please, please.....DEAL WITH THE SHANTY TOWNS.........and stop this crappy deflecting.
KapunkleUp 1 year, 2 months ago
If you are unhappy with government then get active in the next election to change the status quo. Violence is not the answer and will transform our country into the next Haiti.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 2 months ago
While the police need to take every threat seriously. We already know that they're constantly getting these calls. They just dont make a BREAKING NEWS announcement. We know because they told us when they publicized Loretta Butlet Turner getting death threats and subsequently allowed MPs to carry firearms.
I think the next PM needs to think seriously, now, about who he wants looking after the security of the country when a crisis hits. This job is more than the ceremonial uniform.
ted4bz 1 year, 2 months ago
So the other day Boris Johnson claims the President of Russia threatened to kill him in a missile strike. Why would the President of Russia want to do such a useless thing to a pawn it wouldn’t change a thing. So why would anyone threaten Mr Davis , it wouldn’t change a thing. Like all the other pawns he is only a representative of a larger order carrying out orders. These fellers are good at theatre and derelict in the aim of their public duties. So distracting the public is all they have to give.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 2 months ago
Doesnt have to make sense. An angry person needs a target, the target just has to be in the line of sight. I dont even get the impression Mr Davis knows half of whats happening, he didn't know about BPL, didnt know about the hospital, didnt know about the price control measures or impact.. "but", he's in the line of sight. And I dont say he didnt know as a criticism, I want him to do well, I think he is the first PM since Pindling maybe who could galvanize the nation if he does the right things, if he takes control back from the FS. He's no mythical saviour or perfect, he just has that likability factor
BONEFISH 1 year, 2 months ago
@ This is Ours.The financial secretary doe not have that power.You don't know what you are talking about
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 2 months ago
The governance papers dont say the people in Lyford Cay have power either but one letter from them and pending tax law was shutdown faster than you could say FTX was never regulated, its better in the Bahamas. The power brokers dont always have formal structural power, aka "the man behind the curtain"
But Im sure youre right. My apology.
TalRussell 1 year, 2 months ago
In global alarming news. Just moments ago US President Joe Biden ordered the U.S. military to shoot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off US's Carolina coast. ---- World leaders are braced as they await the response The People's Republic of China as the balloon is slowly descending toward the US waters,---- Yes?
killemwitdakno 1 year, 2 months ago
Must have been star 69 if they don't have anyone by the number yet.
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