The Tribune

COMMISSIONER of Police Ellison Greenslade yesterday said he expects the finished file on the investigation into alleged judicial interference by MICAL MP V Alfred Gray as early as Tuesday.

Mr Greenslade said until he reviews the complete file, he could not say what course of action would be taken next.

Police interviewed Mr Gray on Friday, according to his lawyer Wayne Munroe, QC.

In a statement released that day, Mr Munroe said his client was interviewed by Acting Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ferguson and Superintendent Sherman Young, the officer-in-charge of the Complaints and Corruption Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Mr Gray was accompanied by Mr Munroe and lawyer Mario Gray.

“We are assured by the selection of the deputy commissioner of police as the officer to conduct the interview that the Royal Bahamas Police Force is taking this matter with the seriousness that it deserves,” Mr Munroe’s statement said. “The deputy commissioner of police has the benefit of the protection of Article 120 of the Constitution in the discharge of his office.

“Minister Gray was interviewed by the deputy commissioner of police and also gave a (detailed) statement under oath which included five annexures with regard (to) the event being investigated by the Royal Bahamas Police Force at the direction of the attorney general.”

In March, the opposition Free National Movement raised concerns that Mr Gray allegedly used his position to have a man in his constituency freed, following conviction and sentencing. It is claimed that Mr Gray contacted Mayaguana island Administrator Zephaniah Newbold, the sentencing magistrate, to offer “legal advice”.

However, according to media reports Mr Newbold has said he released the convicted youth, Jaquan Charlton, outright “after an order came forth.” He said the young man had not been released on bail as Mr Gray had reportedly claimed.

The FNM has called for Mr Gray’s full dismissal from Cabinet as minister of agriculture and marine resources. Last month Mr Gray asked Prime Minister Perry Christie to relieve him of the local government portfolio, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Mr Gray has repeatedly said that he expects to be vindicated by the results of the police investigation.

Last Wednesday, his attorney released a statement saying that Mr Gray’s obligation as MICAL MP is first to the citizens residing in his constituency. Mr Munroe said Mr Gray will always be accessible to them.

“The Family Island administrator is administratively placed in the Ministry of Local Government by virtue of his appointment; is not legally trained and does not usually possess the relevant qualifications to be appointed a stipendiary and circuit magistrate; and in the discharge of any judicial function is neither mentioned nor the subject of any protection afforded by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Mr Munroe’s statement said.

“V Alfred Gray is the current sitting member of Parliament with responsibility of representing the citizens of the Mayaguana district; was at the material time also the minister with the portfolio responsibility for local government; and was at all times in accordance with his responsibilities to be first concerned with the representation of the citizens residing in the Mayaguana district,” Mr Munroe added.

The statement went on to respond to calls for Mr Gray’s resignation from Cabinet.

“These suggestions have continued even after the commencement of the investigation and before the conclusion of the same. It should be clear that the persons calling for the removal either did not consider or else are not concerned with what may be established as the facts.

“V Alfred Gray is confident that the facts that will be revealed by any investigation and will vindicate that he acted properly in his function as a minister of government,” Mr Munroe said.