Miller refuses to apologise to Crisis Centre

Leslie Miller

As of Thursday, December 10, 2015

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

TALL PINES MP Leslie Miller yesterday refused to apologise for calling officials at the Bahamas Crisis Centre “phonies, fakes and frauds” and rejected the nonprofit organisation’s offer for him to participate in volunteer training next month.

Mr Miller told The Tribune that the only way he will apologise is if the Crisis Centre can prove “they had a representative” at the funeral of Joyelle McIntosh.

Mr Miller lashed out at officials from the Crisis Centre on Monday as he accused the organisation of remaining silent on violence against women in the aftermath of the brutal murder of a schoolteacher last month.

Mr Miller said it was a shame that the centre “was nowhere to be found” and claimed that no representatives attended Ms McIntosh’s funeral last week.

The 40-year-old elementary school teacher was shot in her head and body near a traffic light at the intersection of Parkgate and Village Roads on November 11.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the Crisis Centre demanded that Mr Miller apologise and retract his “vile,” “offensive” and “malicious attack.”

Deputy Director of the Crisis Centre Donna Nicolls was nearly moved to tears as she defended the organisation’s volunteers from Mr Miller’s “uninformed and vindictive” comments.

She invited the Progressive Liberal Party MP to participate in the organisation’s volunteer training next month to bring himself up to speed on the work of the Crisis Centre and to assist it in helping vulnerable people.

Speaking outside the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Mr Miller said he is “sorry” if he offended anyone from the Crisis Centre, but he is not sorry for what he said.

“I don’t have anything to apologise for,” Mr Miller said.

“When you are talking about the ill treatment of women you have to cover the entire gamut of society of women. That dear teacher was (allegedly) murdered by these three men, I would have expected that the Crisis Centre would have reached out to the mother, to the children, and her sisters to comfort them. “They have a responsibility to assist women, not just from domestic violence but for everything. I want to invite them to sit in on one of Dr David Allen’s workshops where he talks about compassion and love and concern for others, that’s what they need to do. As soon as they reach out to the mother and the sisters of the victim, I will be happy to further this discussion.”

He added: “I am sorry for the lady who said that she cried yesterday, she has my deepest apologies but that doesn’t negate their responsibility to reach out to their family.”

This is not the first time that the MP has clashed with the Bahamas Crisis Centre.

Early last year, Mr Miller butted heads with representatives of the centre when they refused to accept his donation of $1,000. Mr Miller tried to make the donation in an effort to calm backlash over an earlier statement he had made in the House of Assembly when he said he had physically abused an ex-girlfriend in the past.

In the face of criticism, Mr Miller walked back from the comments and said the remarks were a joke.

Asked about this, Mrs Nicolls said she did not think his actions were genuine then and does not think they are now.

The Crisis Centre also provides food assistance, clothing and helps find emergency shelter for those in need.

Their 24-hour hot line is 242-328-0922.

Honestman 9 years ago

Speaking outside the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Mr Miller said he is “sorry” if he offended anyone from the Crisis Centre, but he is not sorry for what he said. “I don’t have anything to apologise for,”

Jeez is it "Potcake" or "Pothead"?

RUKiddingMe 9 years ago

Mr. Miller obviously has no concept of what a Crisis Centre provides:

The mandate of a Crisis Centre is to assist in the prevention of domestic violence and other societal problems by intervention and education.

The services offered to clients include: emotional support, short-term counselling, information on existing resources, references to appropriate agencies,documentation on the various issues, and counselling for victims of domestic violence.

The team is made up of volunteers trained to provide immediate assistance to individuals and families in crisis.

Mr. Miller, may I suggest you stop using worthwhile agencies for your own personal and political grandstanding!

birdiestrachan 9 years ago

The other paper said he did apologise. Noelle Nicolls will never believe his apology is sincere. I have some questions for Noelle , She seems to be looking at a video of these women If they were not allowed phones where did that video come from?

The woman who said the Police came to harass her because she has a complaint of rape, How did the police know she was there. ? or is she always there? She has a spousal permit, But no one has seen the husband , she just may have a marriage of convenience. I do not know I am just asking, But God Knows my heart goes out to the young man who has lost his life. in comparison this is small thing.

sheeprunner12 9 years ago

Ahhhhhhh Wellllll ......................... Leslie speaks as a bitter, frustrated man with the weight of his dead son on his psyche, and his many shady deals under the table and his many verbal missteps on social issues.............. but he is a genuinely flawed human being that wears his feelings on his sleeve ................. the classic Bahamian "Donald Trump politician"

Cobalt 9 years ago

I really get annoyed when the Tribune posts anything that Leslie Miller has to say..... especially regarding this nonsense.

I'm guessing that the tribune only post this stuff to get a rise out of people like myself who are stupid enough to respond.

Hopefully, if we stop responding to these trivial types of stories, the tribune will be less inclined to report these pointless headlines.

For this reason, I think that we should all just stop responding to anything involving Leslie Miller. Hopefully the tribune can take a hint.

The_Oracle 9 years ago

His ignorance shines through every day he opens his mouth. Perhaps he is internally conflicted, after all, he has helped create the very Bahamas he seems so frustrated with! Perhaps the cushy ride while nice has left him bitter and is near its end. How easily he lashes out, like the spoiled child never taught manners or compassion.