The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson yesterday praised former Senator Heather Hunt saying that she was a demonstration of a woman’s style of leadership to the Bahamian people while she served in the upper chamber.

When asked about Mrs Hunt’s resignation, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said: “I want to say that I will only comment about my working relationship with former Senator Heather Hunt.

“I found that she was always well prepared for debate. She tried to be a patriot and, of course, she had political points to make but every time she spoke she tried to suggest improvements in relation to the bill at hand and all to affect the lives of the Bahamian people.

“So I think she brought to the table the demonstration of a woman’s style of leadership. I enjoyed working with her. I congratulate her on the accomplishments that she had while she was (in) the Senate and I wish her well on her future endeavours.”

The attorney general was asked to comment on Mrs Hunt’s resignation from the Senate last month. At the time, Mrs Hunt revealed that she was asked to resign by party leader Dr Hubert Minnis.

Some political pundits have speculated that party leader Dr Hubert Minnis wanted Mrs Hunt to resign because she reportedly did not support him for his re-election bid at the FNM’s last convention.

However, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said she would not comment on political speculation surrounding the resignation.

Mrs Hunt is the third Free National Movement senator to resign since the party became the official opposition in 2012.

Zhivargo Laing resigned in late 2012, followed by Desmond Bannister who resigned in 2013. Both men maintained that their departure from the Senate had nothing to do with the party or the party’s leader.

Last month, Mrs Hunt said in a press statement that it was an honour to serve in the Senate. She thanked Dr Minnis for giving her the opportunity. She said in keeping with the party’s vision, it was time for her to pass on the baton.

Dr Minnis told The Tribune he had an “in depth” discussion with Mrs Hunt and they both agreed it “was time” for a change. He said her resignation was in keeping with his earlier announced mandate to rotate FNM senators.

A replacement for Mrs Hunt has not been revealed.