The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PLP COUNCIL members last night demanded that Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins publicly apologise to Prime Minister Perry Christie in parliament for his actions.

Tempers flared at a packed council meeting as Dr Rollins defended his public criticisms of the Progressive Liberal Party’s leadership at the party’s headquarters.

At one point during the National General Council meeting, Dr Rollins could be heard shouting “I will apologise, I will apologise”, which was met by loud booing and heckling from stalwart national council members.

A four-member committee has been appointed to review Dr Rollin’s actions, and subsequent explanation, and will present recommendations on his fate at next month’s meeting.

Outside the meeting last night, Mr Christie said he hoped the ordeal will serve as a teachable moment for both Dr Rollins and the party.

“I’m too advanced and mature a politician to take things personally,” he said, “because I have the responsibility of leading the organisation and the position I’ve always taken is that I cannot be distracted.

“We are on the edge of some big things for The Bahamas, and I’m not going to be distracted by debates of this kind seizing my attention.

“How we strategise on crime, these are compelling issues that the country faces, so to be distracted by - whether its Rollins, or Wells, or Perry Christie in our machinations - that’s not what the country really wants.”

Mr Christie said: “The country wants us to move forward.”

The emotional meeting follows weeks of tension between party members and Dr Rollins over his severe criticisms of the party’s leadership, and controversial stance against key pieces of legislation, namely the package of Gaming bills, Value Added Tax, and the proposed constitutional referendum.

Following what was perceived as threats by Dr Rollins to disclose damning information concerning the controversy over Renward Wells’ signing of a $650m letter of intent with a waste-to-energy company, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts told the Fort Charlotte MP to “put up or shut up”.

Mr Roberts’ comments, which included a call for the “egomaniacal” Dr Rollins to “shut the hell up,” was the most forceful denunciation of the MP by a member of his party since he began lashing out at the Christie administration several weeks ago.

Mr Roberts also charged that Dr Rollins had lost the support of most his constituents.

Last night, Mr Roberts said: “Well he did shut up, did he not shut up?”

On Wednesday, Dr Rollins distanced himself from reports suggesting he would expose wrongdoing within the Christie administration if Mr Wells is fired over the LOI controversy.

Dr Rollins also denied that he was withholding any information on corruption within the government.

Last night, Dr Rollins declined to comment, and referred media to the party’s chairman and leader for comment on the outcome of the meeting.

Mr Christie said: “I thought [Rollins] was very specific, he said he did not mean it, he had no evidence of it, he did not mean to say it - I think he was very clear on that.”

“When you are in a political organisation, you have to be seen to be a part of the political organisation, the give and take of the organisation, being able to be part of a team.”

Mr Christie said: “I think tonight’s meeting was simply an amplification of what it is to be a part of a team, to be a part of an organisation, and what the organisation expects of you. I think that was the whole thrust of this because these stalwart councillors, these are people who invest, who earned the right to sit in here elevated to the highest office of the land. They are the guardians and protectors of the legacy and the spirit of the PLP. They keep it alive because they were revolutionaries in that regard.”

Mr Christie explained that while he took positions that were contrary to his leaders in the past, and faced consequences, his actions could never be characterised as hostile or personal.

He also pointed out that his relationship with Dr Nottage did not suffer despite the pair having run against each other for public office.

Mr Roberts said: “People spoke very directly and forcefully, and people were very deeply concerned and hurt over the attack by [Dr Rollins] against the Prime Minister and his party, and they expressed themselves very forthrightly with regard to that.

“[Dr Rollins] had no other choice but to accept it, we are a democracy. He can say what he wants to say, and our people can say what they want to say.”

The committee consists of: Valentine Grimes, former Fort Charlotte MP and trustee; Tom Basden, trustee; deputy chairman Robin Lyons, and former Young Liberals chairman D’Asante Beneby.

Mr Grimes refused to comment on the nature of the recommendations, or whether Dr Rollins’ membership in the party was at stake.

“Rollins heard from stalwart councillors, he heard from the Leader and the Deputy Leader and so it was a teachable moment and we can move on from there.”