The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE admitting that he would not have revealed FNM by-election candidate Greg Gomez’ personal information, Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday said politicians must be held accountable for their actions.

Mr Christie added that he is not running a personal campaign to destroy Mr Gomez’s political career as there is no advantage in being critical of any mistakes made on his part.

“With respect to the candidate and Shane Gibson,” Mr Christie said, “Would I have done it? Probably not, (and that’s me) personally.

“I am one of those who is in the twilight of my political career. I’m not going to personalise a campaign against him. Me personally, I see no advantage in me being critical of certain major mistakes he’s made in trying to present himself as a viable candidate.”

On Tuesday, Labour Minister Shane Gibson produced a resignation letter written by Mr Gomez as proof that he voluntarily stepped down as assistant administrator from the Marsh Harbour Administrative offices. The letter, submitted on July 5, said Mr Gomez would not report for work after July 11.

Mr Gomez, one week ago, said that the Christie administration had victimised him as the decision by the former FNM government to have him serve in a higher post was overturned.

Mr Christie said that lives led in the public eye will be subjected to scrutiny.

“In public life you have to be accountable for what you do.

“When you go into (public life) you must expect every question to be asked. Not only of you, but of others about you. (Also) that people would want answers to those questions however embarrassing the answer is, it is a part of the accountability in public life.

“On many instances when people’s own faults have been announced it made me realise that I hadn’t done certain things myself and that I better go and do it quickly. We are all a part of guilty of omissions,” Mr Christie said.

When asked if Gomez should still be considered a viable option among Abaconians, considering the heightened controversy surrounding his North Abaco candidacy, Mr Christie said Bahamians will make their own determinations.

“If we are going to win, we’re going to win because the people would have made the choice that Renardo Curry is the person that they would wish to have represent them in the next five years.”