The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FREE NATIONAL Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday revoked John Bostwick’s position as Senator “with immediate effect” after he was unwilling to resign.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Minnis said it was difficult to ask for the resignation of someone he “loved like a son”, but he had to think about what was best for the country.

According to a statement released by Mr Bostwick’s legal counsel, the former Senator was prepared to resign on Monday, the day he was arraigned on ammunition charges, but reconsidered out of fear that the move would make him appear guilty.

“Leaders have to make difficult decisions,” Dr Minnis said. “I would have preferred to have seen him step down, but in the absence of that a leader must make a decision that will be in the best interest of the country and at the same time a decision that when future generations look at it they can say ‘Yes, that is a model example that I must follow’, especially when the FNM was built on transparency, honesty, openness and integrity,” he said.

“We must move toward a true Westminster system where individuals would step down under certain circumstances and we most move toward a Freedom of Information Act. Bahamians have to feel like politicians are honest and will make a decision that is in the best interest of the country and when you make a decision you make a decision that you can accept when you are no longer in government. Any competent and responsible leader must make a decision with country and family first and never look at personalties or how it is going to affect or benefit me, the leader, it must always be country first.

Dr Minnis yesterday sent a letter to Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, revoking “the appointment of Senator John Henry Bostwick II, as a Senator, under article 39 of the Constitution, with immediate effect.”

The FNM leader said Mr Bostwick will continue work behind the scenes in the party and there are “no hard feelings” between the two. He also said the party has a “deep bench” of candidates to replace Mr Bostwick as Senator, but no decision has been yet.

When contacted Mr Bostwick refused to comment but directed The Tribune to his lawyers, who later sent a statement on his behalf. According to the statement, Mr Bostwick intended to resign, but changed his mind after consultation with his lawyers.

“On the morning of his arraignment, John Bostwick, at his request, had letters of resignation prepared and brought to him for his signature. However, on the advice of independent counsel and other senior advisors he did not tender the same as it was felt that doing so could have the appearance of an admission of guilt when he pleaded not guilty,” the statement said,

“Despite the legal decision he was advised to make, Mr Bostwick respects the office of a Parliamentarian and recognises that the leader of the FNM and the party must do what they have to do and he thanks them and all other well-wishers for their continued prayers and support. Mr Bostwick remains a born Free Nationalist.”

Mr Bostwick was charged in Magistrates Court on Monday with possession of ammunition. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $9,000 bail.

Mr Bostwick was sworn in as Senator in February 2013. He was the FNM’s pick to replace Zhivargo Laing after his resignation on December 31, 2012.

He is the son of former opposition Leader J Henry Bostwick, QC, and former Foreign Affairs Minister, and Attorney General Janet Bostwick, the first woman to be elected to the House of Assembly.

Mr Bostwick was also the FNM’s Bain and Grants Town candidate during the May 2012 general election, but lost to National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage and DNA hopeful Rodney Moncur.