The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE Office of the Attorney General is still awaiting a police report on the investigation into alleged judicial interference by MICAL MP V Alfred Gray, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said yesterday.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson told The Tribune she has not yet received the report from Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade detailing the specifics surrounding Mr Gray’s alleged use of his parliamentary position to have a teenager in his constituency freed, following conviction and sentencing almost a month ago.

The report is expected to outline Mr Greenslade’s position – subsequent to consultations with his executive team – on whether anyone should face charges before the court based on the findings of the investigation.

Last Thursday, Mr Greenslade said he had received the finished file on the investigation and that the findings would be revealed “soon.” Speaking to The Tribune at the time, he said he had not yet reviewed the file but would do so “very soon” and then release the findings.

“As you know I have requested the commissioner of police to conduct a thorough investigation and I’m awaiting the report,” Mrs Maynard-Gibson told The Tribune yesterday.

In March, the opposition Free National Movement raised concerns about allegations that Mr Gray 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.”

Although Mr Gray has confirmed that he did contact the island administrator, he has strongly denied that he in any way attempted to sway the course of justice.

He said he only advised the administrator that he had the option of granting bail, since an appeal had been filed. However, according to media reports Mr Newbold has said he released the convicted youth, 19-year-old Jaquan Charlton, outright “after an order came forth”. He said the young man had not been released on bail as Mr Gray had claimed.

Police subsequently interviewed Mr Gray on the matter on April 10, according to his lawyer Wayne Munroe, QC.

In a statement, 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.

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.

The prime minister agreed, and the portfolio was transferred to Financial Services Minister Hope Strachan. Mr Gray has repeatedly said that he expects to be vindicated by the results of the police investigation.