The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

AS FNM MPs left the House of Assembly in solidarity with suspended party leader Hubert Minnis, their colleague Edison Key stayed behind, explaining: “I am an individual. I think for myself.”

The Central and South Abaco MP was the only opposition member who did not oppose the Speaker’s move to name Dr Minnis, and the only opposition member who did not leave the House of Assembly alongside Dr Minnis after police escorted the Killarney MP outside.

“I have no right to get up in Parliament and call another member a crook or a thief unless I have evidence to prove it and this is exactly what took place,” Mr Key told the press. “My leader was asked to withdraw or produce the evidence; so, he couldn’t produce the evidence and he didn’t withdraw. He didn’t withdraw so I didn’t think I needed to follow after him.”

Although other opposition MPs will not attend parliament for the two sessions in which Dr Minnis is suspended in support of their leader, Mr Key will attend.

He said: “I’m a member of parliament. I haven’t been suspended.”

Explaining the actions he took, Mr Key told The Tribune it “doesn’t make sense” for him to get “caught up in petty politics”.

The Speaker gave Dr Minnis an opportunity to bring proof or withdraw, Mr Key explained.

“He didn’t bring proof and he wouldn’t withdraw, and I didn’t see no sense in me following behind him. I would be saying the exact same thing that he’s saying and it doesn’t make sense to me,” he said.

“I have to know the truth before I make a decision – so I’m not getting involved to that extent.

“He (the Speaker) gave him (Dr Minnis) the privilege to withdraw and he didn’t produce any evidence to substantiate the allegations that he had made against the Prime Minister.”

The FNM MPs said outside of the House that they would not attend the sessions without Dr Minnis, however Mr Key indicated he will continue to sit.

“I am a member of parliament. I represent the people of Central, South Abaco – not anyone else,” he said. “I think I made my case this morning and I didn’t walk out. I think for myself.”

When asked if there is a rift between himself and the party, Mr Key said there is none from his perspective.

“I don’t have no problem with them. If they got a rift, that’s their problem,” he said. “I stand on principal; and if you can’t prove evidence to substantiate what the allegations – then that’s a different case.”

Speaking to reporters gathered outside of the House of Assembly, Mr Key said he doesn’t “intend to condemn” the actions of the party leader, and as for discord between himself and Dr Minnis, he said there is “none at all”.

“That’s his actions and I don’t intend to condemn him,” Mr Key said. “That’s his views just like this is my views. I stood up for what I believe and he stood up for what he believes, and so that’s entirely up to him.”

When asked if he will consider rejoining the PLP he said: “I’m just considering joining Edison Key. I’m being honest because I stated clearly I supported the stem cell therapy Bill.

“I was the third person to speak on the Bill and what would I look like to the Bahamian people – not just to the parliament, we’re covered with television and people see you – and what would I look like one day supporting it and the next day I turn against it because someone else turns against it.

As for whether he is still a member of the FNM party, he said: “As far as I know.”

Speaking on Mr Key’s actions at FNM headquarters, deputy leader Loretta Butler-Turner said Dr Minnis and the parliamentary caucus are “going to determine what we’re going to do in that regard”.

She added: “You will know also during the debate, Mr Edison Key actually got up and spoke about his support for it, but I don’t want to pre-empt anything that the leader is going to do.”