The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Tommy Turnquest followed through on his promise to consider suing a political candidate if he did not retract a slanderous remark reportedly made against him. However, yesterday, PLP candidate for Tall Pines Leslie Miller claimed Mr Turnquest initiated "this war" with personal attacks on a number of PLPs, creating a "cause and effect" situation. Responding to news of the suit, Mr Miller said: "He has a right to do what he wants. However, Tommy started this war first with his attacks on a number of people during the rallies." The MP for Mount Moriah claims damages caused by "slander and/or falsehood published", according to the Supreme Court's civil registry cause list. The former MP for Blue Hills contends that this is not so. He says it's a normal thing during the election season for candidates to hit out at the other with jokes, but says Turnquest started it and took it to another level, "creating cause and effect." "If you attack me, I will counter attack but I never initiated any attack. I never called his wife's name. I never called anyone's name." "Tommy Turnquest, he initiated these attacks from the FNM's very first rally in Tall Pines. Afterwards he called me out by name again at another FNM rally." Mr Miller says he was not the only PLP to come under attack from the national security minister. "He also made crude remarks about the lawyer Keith Bell, a good man of good reputation and character who has kids." Mr Miller said the PLP do not initiate attacks on its opposition, instead they "focus on the issues." The former MP concluded that there are persons in the Bahamas who hold themselves equal to their countrymen and others who believe themselves to be superior. "Mr Turnquest feels he is better than everybody else where he can attack and make jokes about people and there are no repercussions." He said he has no problems with Turnquest taking the matter to court as it was his constitutional right to do so. However, he said that the plaintiff "should consider not attacking others first."