The Tribune

PRIME Minister Perry Christie and House Speaker Kendal Major were yesterday accused of “rank hypocrisy” for failing to insist that the remarks of Leslie Miller be expunged from the parliamentary record after the Tall Pines MP blamed a private citizen for the murder of his son.

FNM chairman Darron Cash accused the Speaker of “bending over backwards” to defend Mr Miller – a striking contrast to the recent treatment of opposition leader Hubert Minnis.

After making comments concerning Prime Minister Christie and Peter Nygard, Dr Minnis saw his remarks expunged, and was then suspended from the House because he failed to apologise.

Obviously, Mr Cash said, the Speaker thinks a private citizen can handle being attacked by an MP under parliamentary privilege, but a two-time prime minister cannot.

In an emotional contribution in the House of Assembly on Monday, Mr Miller named the person he believes ordered the brutal murder of his son Mario 11 years ago.

Mr Miller made the revelation during his contribution on a Bill that would allow for the hiring of more Supreme Court Judges.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Perry Christie reprimanded Mr Miller for the move, stating a personal belief that the House of Assembly is not the forum to lodge such allegations.

Mr Christie insisted that he did not want the government to have a hand in determining the innocence or guilt of a person.

Opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis said he also disagreed with the use of parliamentary privilege to accuse someone with impunity, but added that the failures of the judicial system are partially responsible.

“I don’t think it was right to name someone in Parliament. There’s a judiciary system and whatever else.

“It’s unfortunate that his case has not gone to court yet, but that shows the problem with the court.

“The criminal knows there’s such a large backlog and the cases take so long so they feel they can do anything they want because the cases take so long.”