The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell yesterday accused Free National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard of taking “the last refuge of a scoundrel” by playing “the gender card” in his defence of Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner.

Mr Mitchell, who is the minister of foreign affairs and immigration, added that Mrs Butler-Turner appears to hide behind the fact that she is a woman whenever her “poor attitude” gets her into problems.

He also suggested that Mr Pintard’s remarks were contradictory, calling it “strange” that the FNM senator would hit out at him for critiquing Mrs Butler-Turner but was silent when she slapped now independent Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins in the House of Assembly two years ago.

Both MPs have since formally apologised for their actions that led to the incident.

In a statement sent to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Mitchell insisted that his recent criticism of Mrs Butler-Turner has “nothing to do with gender,” but has “everything to do with performance.”

On Wednesday, Mr Pintard criticised Mr Mitchell for showing “continuous disrespect for Bahamian politicians” after his scathing critique of Mrs Butler-Turner. Mr Pintard said Mr Mitchell’s verbal attacks seem to suggest that Mrs Butler-Turner was out of line for criticizing the government because she is a woman. Mr Pintard said rather than “denigrate women,” Mr Mitchell should “use the oratorical skills he has” to instead “challenge them and their male counterparts on the basis of their ideas.”

In response, Mr Mitchell said Mr Pintard is “sadly mistaken if he thinks he can take the last refuge of a scoundrel by trying to play the gender card to defend the work of the FNM’s Long Island MP.”

“He claimed in the press that my comments about the MP for Long Island’s performance show disrespect for women,” Mr Mitchell continued. “It is always interesting when as soon as the MP for Long Island gets into a problem with her poor attitude and indelicate language she runs and hides behind the fact that she is a woman. What a load of poppycock.

“Mr Pintard should not insult the intelligence of the Bahamian people by this scandalous attack on my character. What is going on with the MP for Long Island has nothing to do with gender. It has everything to do with performance. She has not performed for the people of Long Island; not because she is a woman but because she lacks the skill of a good member of Parliament.”

Mr Mitchell added: “It is strange that Mr Pintard would go there but remained silent when that same MP for Long Island slapped a member of Parliament, while at the same time claiming to be an advocate to stop gender based violence.”

The war of words began after Mr Mitchell criticised the Long Island MP during a visit to her constituency last Saturday. While there, Mr Mitchell suggested to residents that the island has not flourished under her representation because of her attitude toward the government.

Then on Tuesday, Mr Mitchell slammed Mrs Butler-Turner again for being “bellicose and warlike,” suggesting that the former FNM deputy leader is not “skilful” enough to secure government assistance for her constituency.

Meanwhile, Mrs Butler-Turner has called Mr Mitchell’s comments a “vile and disgraceful” declaration that the PLP has victimised Long Island residents for years.

She said Prime Minister Perry Christie should fire the “undemocratic, vicious and petty” minister of foreign affairs and immigration for this blatant admission.