FNM Leader Hubert Minnis
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FORMER PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby yesterday described the conflict of interest claims lodged by his own party against Opposition Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as “political nonsense.”
Mr Rigby said the allegations against Dr Minnis were “irresponsible” and “erroneous” as he hit out against what he considered to be an old, tired culture of politics that has long blocked esteemed professionals from entering public life.
He insisted that “small minds” had to get out of politics before the country could attract the cadre of leaders required to propel the Bahamas forward.
“What is irresponsible in our system is to continue to make allegations against persons who wish to serve in public life when there is no basis for those allegations,” Mr Rigby told The Tribune. “That is why we will continue to have people who are not at the apex in their professions to continue to serve in political life.
“We will continue not to have our best minds and talents serving in the House (of Assembly) because of current politicians playing by the old tired rules of making erroneous allegations that have no basis in fact. When we change that culture is when we will have those with the best minds serving our country.
“The small minds have got to get out,” Mr Rigby said.
Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts has accused Dr Minnis of conflict of interest and abuse of power, and also called for his resignation from Parliament, regarding his interests in a company that has a lease agreement with the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).
Dr Minnis’ company, Leechez Investments Ltd, was awarded a two-year contract with the PHA to rent its Stat Care building in 2005, before Dr Minnis entered politics. However, the arrangement was continued on a month-to-month basis while he served as minister of health from 2007-2012, and is continuing.
Dr Minnis did not declare the contract when he registered as a candidate in the 2007 general election, and has since claimed that it was unnecessary to do so at that time because his company was a separate entity.
He maintained that he declared his interests in the company after he was elected to office, and that the allegations were an attempt to besmirch his character.
Mr Rigby, a lawyer, yesterday supported Dr Minnis’ explanation. He said the PHA was a statutory corporation that may not have sought Cabinet approval for the lease agreement. Mr Rigby served on the PHA board of directors during the 2002 Christie administration, but said he could not recall whether the matter had come before that body.
The PHA has stated that it did not wish to comment on the matter at this time. When contacted by The Tribune, PHA Managing Director Herbert Brown said he was out of the country.
Meanwhile, Mr Rigby explained that determining factors in the controversy would be whether a new lease was brought before Cabinet while Dr Minnis sat as health minister, and if so, whether he disclosed at that time.
“Historically it (candidate declaration) has been interpreted to mean, ‘do you have a personal contract with the government’ not whether you are a shareholder in a company that has a contract,” he said.
“So if that is the case, then I’m not sure there is any technical issue. The law is such a thing if we want to clarify or improve on the declaration, there is a simple way to do it – the PLP is in power.”
“You have to first look at the facts, and if there was no formal lease between PHA and the company at the time he filed the nomination form then he was being honest, and even if there was a lease he may also have been honest because the lease was between PHA and his company, or a company in which he is a shareholder. The PHA is still leasing the building today – well it can’t be a conflict today because he’s not sitting in the Cabinet, so when did the conflict occur?”
Mr Rigby added: “It’s just all political nonsense, it’s all nonsense.”
Both former and sitting parliamentary commissioners, Errol Bethel and Sherlyn Hall, have declined to comment on the matter.
Mr Hall referred The Tribune to the Office of the Attorney General when questioned about Dr Minnis’ nomination papers.
The conflict of interest allegations against Dr Minnis were first raised in 2013 by then PLP Ft Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins in the House of Assembly. Dr Rollins, now independent, has since said he was “lured” into making the claims by a senior PLP and regretted making the accusations.
Comments
Maynergy 9 years, 3 months ago
In the long run, nothing a government can do, does more good for the people that creating and adopting good policies for creative innovative economic growth. What this government or most government do is to either accelerate or decelerate long run economic growth - i.e the most important aspect of macro-economic policy. Nothing matters more in the long run for the quality of life in an economy that its long run rate of growth. Consider this, for a more sustainable prognosis, using the spending and credit powers of the national government to affect the economy is an awesome way to further open up the economic umbrella for further stimulus in the family islands could be a trigger which could loan more prosperous outcome for everyone who embraces new enterprising and emerging trends to succeed. Whats your view?
Maynergy 9 years, 3 months ago
The truth remains clear that a more compelling and convincing argument have to be given WHY, children (i.e) Haitian birth in the islands of the Bahamas has to be treated like they have been treated for the last thirty years. These children must be given full national status and accepted in the mainstream. Bahamian man or woman consciously knew what they were doing when they had intercourse. That's a fact. The "Children" must be taken cared off soon or then; there could be other unintended consequences developing that would be unfavorable to the Bahamas at large. What does that mean one may asked? There is no need for a "Commission" to be set up to establish to see and know the unfavorable attitude that would be shown towards Haitians by Bahamians and "West Indies" people. The continued "disdain" Bahamians have for other peoples of the west Indies has to be wiped out and people should be encouraged to embrace and celebrate our collective cultural linkages.
jackbnimble 9 years, 3 months ago
And how does this relate to the above article?
Emac 9 years, 3 months ago
KMLL
licks2 9 years, 3 months ago
Then take your case to the United Nation HRC and any other HR body any where on the globe and see what they will tell you!! We did not set the standards fella. . .the UN did!! You all must meet the requirements set by the Bahamas. . .not Haitians!! How come yinna will not approach countries like the USA, CA, UK and France with such nonsense and demand citizenship for all illegal Haitians residing there?? They will ship ya tail where you come from in a swift minute!!
BIRTH IN THE BAHAMAS NOR HAITI IS NO GRAUNTEE OF NATIONALITY!!!
jackbnimble 9 years, 3 months ago
“Historically it (candidate declaration) has been interpreted to mean, ‘do you have a personal contract with the government’ not whether you are a shareholder in a company that has a contract,” he said.
Alas, someone with sense has spoken. A company is a separate entity from an individual and has been so since King Hatchet was a Hammer. If the company defaulted on it's contract, they could not sue Dr. Minnis. They would have to sue just the entity as they are separate and apart.
I agree with Mr. Rigby. This is much ago about nothing.
Kuddos to the Government, though, in doing a good job in deflecting the press from the current misery of their governance with a high crime rate, jobs being lost and their cronyisms. Darn yall good!
birdiestrachan 9 years, 3 months ago
MR: Rigby has always been an opposing so called member of the PLP. and when he speaks of the carade of leaders required to propel the Country forward, the best minds and best talents. he is certainly not talking about himself or Dr. Minnis.
realfreethinker 9 years, 3 months ago
HUH ????????
licks2 9 years, 3 months ago
We will get rid of peoples like you. . .AN ENEMY OF THE FUTURE STATE OF THE BAHAMAS. . .Dr. Minnis will win. . .AND THE PLP know that fact. . .his greatest help is people like birdiestrachan et al!!
CatIslandBoy 9 years, 3 months ago
As a former PLP Chairman, Mr. Rigby's words carries a lot of weight. He knows very much of which he speaks.
Well_mudda_take_sic 9 years, 3 months ago
The financial declaration of a member of parliament (MP) has always been fully intended to speak to all of the MP's personal financial interests in business and other dealings involving government departments, agencies and corporations, regardless of whether such dealings are done directly with the MP or indirectly with him or her by way of an entity in which he or she has a beneficial interest. Mr. Rigby is entirely wrong in his assertions about the financial disclosures required to be made public by all MPs under the law. Government officials do not have the right to ascribe a conveniently disingenuous meaning to, or interpretation of, the law in order to circumvent its intended purpose to disclose conflicts of interest for the public good.
licks2 9 years, 3 months ago
I must agree. . .but don't forget them "shells" in the FNM and DNA!! I LISTEN TO MR ROBERTS ON THE RADIO AND HE SEEM TO THINK ONCE I DECLEARED MY CONFLICT OF INTEREST THEN NOBODY CAN TOUCH ME!!
Wideawake 9 years, 3 months ago
Perhaps ALL Hon. Members of The House of Assembly need to attend a workshop or training session to find out EXACTLY what the rules are that they are operating under!!!! How can you play a game when you don't even know the fricking rules!!!.... Duh !!! ... and Duh!!! again!!!
John 9 years, 3 months ago
Damien Gomez destroyed his apparent creditability and his apparent effort to stamp out corruption in less than a day...it was just another case of political finger pointing.
Wideawake 9 years, 3 months ago
The HERO became a ZERO!!!, all in the twinkling of an eye!! Just HAD to try and get back to the PLP teat he was raised on!
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