The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts has gone on the offensive against FNM Chairman Darron Cash in the debate about corruption and ethics.

Mr Roberts claimed that Cash must “love the sound of his voice” from his display of “fake outrage”.

“Was he not listening when it was revealed that a significant amount of the residents of North Abaco were enrolled in the FNM-inspired 52-weeks jobs training programme?” Mr Cash said.

“Where was he when it was revealed in the House that the FNM government issued a long-term contract to the friends of former PM Ingraham on May 7, 2012, the day of the general election? The FNM candidate for Cat Island in the last general election was one of the

signatories on a contract for public works within the constituency he was contesting,” Mr Roberts added.

“Where was Cash when this was revealed in the House of Assembly? So egregious and abusive were the displays of state power by the FNM government in the run-up to the last general election that Prime Minister Christie foreshadowed legislation aimed at restricting executive powers in the area of contract administration in order to preserve the integrity of the democratic and electoral processes.”

In response, Mr Cash told The Tribune yesterday that he is “not moved in any way by the idle charges of pre-election contracts”.

“If the government has any evidence of wrongdoing, then they ought to follow the law and let the chips fall where they may. No one is impressed or even persuaded by constant innuendos; refer the matters to the necessary authorities and let them do their jobs,” the FNM chairman added.

“As to Cat Island, I was watching the DPM’s comedic performance on the Parliamentary Channel the FNM established. I had a good laugh as well as the DPM tried to create a scandal where none existed. Mr Roberts can spin all he wants, but a witness to a signing is not the recipient of a contract,” Mr Cash said.

The question of ethics and corruption reignited after Mr Christie revealed in parliament that as Prime Minister, he intervened on behalf of Mr Lightbourne to stop the bank from repossessing his home, adding that the tax consultant had once held high-level positions in the public and private sector.

Speaking out on the controversy in his closing remarks on the mid-year budget, Mr Christie said his only regret was that he “significantly” underpaid Mr Lightbourne when compared to foreign consultants.

“The difference between them and Ishmael is that someone has revealed his shadow and not theirs. I will never compromise my belief in the redemptive power of a second chance” he said at the time.

“While Mr Lightbourne should clearly pay his property taxes, and is under legal obligation to do so, it is obvious that the call for the Government to dismiss Mr Lightbourne is a clear attempt to discredit and shoot the messenger, because there are those special interests who do not like the VAT message he is delivering on behalf of the Government.”

Mr Roberts, in defence of the prime minister on Friday, claimed that unlike the FNM, the prime minister’s “record and legacy of integrity are well documented and intact after almost 40 years of continuous public service”.

“It was none other than the Prime Minister who introduced the culture of participatory democracy through expansive consultation – one of the purest forms of transparency and a pillar of democracy,” Mr Roberts added.

Mr Cash, who disagreed with Mr Roberts’ claim that he liked the sound of his own voice, disagreed with the PLP chairman on the PM’s record of integrity.

“The FNM must speak up consistently on behalf of the many Bahamians whose lives and livelihoods are put at risk by this spiteful and vindictive government,” he said, adding that lunch vendors and building contractors were “two groups of Bahamians being persecuted by this government, but who cannot speak out for fear of being permanently excluded from government work”.

“They are why we will not let the Prime Minister pretend that he is as pure as the driven snow. The PM’s passion is activated by one colour – yellow,” Mr Cash concluded.