The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

TEMPERS flared during a Free National Movement council meeting following the revelation that FNMs named in a threatening letter were kept in the dark about possible danger, The Tribune understands.

According to party sources, a few members of the FNM took “great exception” in a meeting on Thursday evening with how party executives, particularly its leader Dr Hubert Minnis, handled the situation.

A source in the FNM said: “The issue they had was the way the matter was handled. At this point all of the issues have been brought to light, but unfortunately it raises too many questions of the inner workings of the party and sadly the FNM brand takes a beating.

“How the hell could you see something so serious and think it’s no big deal and not say something to those involved? I tell you one thing, the deputy chairman raised hell in the meeting over how this whole thing went down. Right now the only remedy is a convention to bring in another FNM executive team. Until then, they all are stuck doing this awkward dance that the public can see right through.”

On Thursday, an internal email sent by Dr Duane Sands to several FNMs and leaked to The Tribune noted his surprise that a letter threatening himself and five others, including Dr Minnis, Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner, Chairman Darron Cash, Brensil Rolle, former parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Housing and North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly was received by the party.

In the email, Dr Sands said those mentioned should have been notified to decide on an approach for protection if they deemed it necessary. He further urged that there be a meeting to discuss the issue.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Sands declined comment saying he hoped for the matter to “just blow over.”

On Wednesday, FNM Deputy Loretta Butler-Turner revealed she had received a graphic death threat in March and then a phone call last Tuesday warning her to be careful. Mrs Butler-Turner said she turned the letter over to the police in March, but felt the need to go public with the threat last week after receiving the warning phone call.

Hours after Mrs Butler-Turner held a press conference at her home to discuss the threats, Mr Cash revealed that Dr Minnis had also received two threatening letters – one naming several FNMs on March 24 and another on February 17, with general threats to the party. The letters were turned over to police along with a request for officials to investigate.

Mr Cash released a statement last week explaining that the threats were not publicised at the request of Dr Minnis because he did not want authorities to feel an obligation to devote their already strained resources to the matter.

Mr Cash said it was the party’s position to ensure that the safety of those named in the letter did not seem like a priority over issues of national importance.

The press statement said that at the time, the party simply dismissed the threats as a prank and determined them as “not serious”. Mr Cash has insisted that the FNM will not be intimidated by idle threats and distractions.

The Tribune contacted the FNM’s leader yesterday about the reported concerns from several FNMs about the threats. However, Dr Minnis would only say that the matter had been turned over to police.