The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WITH two Cabinet ministers at odds over a UBS Bank executive’s custody at the Detention Centre, Prime Minister Perry Christie said he would not “enter the fray” while he awaits a full report.

On Tuesday, Emmanuel Fiaux, Executive Director at the financial institution on East Bay Street, was stopped by officials and asked to produce proof of legal residency during a road block, according to sources close to the matter.

Later Financial Services Minister Ryan Pinder visited UBS Bank to personally apologise to Mr Fiaux for the treatment he received while in Immigration’s hands. Persons who witnessed the detention reported that Mr Fiaux was “roughed up” during the ordeal.

On Thursday, Fred Mitchell, Immigration Minister defended his officers saying he was “satisfied” they did nothing improper.

Yesterday Mr Christie said he was still unaware of the circumstances surrounding the detention. However he said the government must learn from what took place.

He said: “You know, it is what it is. One minister did an apology and another minister supported his staff. Any one of us here do not know the facts. The ministers have not even had time to even report to us. So then why should I now enter the fray?

“So that the Prime Minister gives a third position on it? What has happened is we must learn from what has taken place. There is absolutely no doubt that the government has agreed about a European person being unfairly dealt with. If they were unfairly dealt with,  as a Cuban being unfairly dealt with, as a Haitian being unfairly dealt with, if they are unfairly dealt with, everyone who is unfairly dealt with is owed an apology.”

Mr Christie’s comments come as officials in the aviation sector signed an agreement with Stantec Consultant Services Limited to conduct an assessment of all 28 airports in the country. The initiative is a part of the government’s continuing effort to improve flight operations in the country.