The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief  Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party will make a final decision tomorrow night on whether to suspend Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins for his public criticisms of the prime minister.

PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts confirmed that the matter now rests with the party’s National General Council, adding that the party’s Leadership Council discussed the recommendations made by the disciplinary committee at a meeting on Monday.

“The leadership council of the party met last night (Monday) and dealt with a number of matters,” Mr Roberts said, “and in compliance with the party’s constitution, the recommendations with regard to Dr Rollins will be brought to the National

General Council and a final decision will be made on Thursday night at that meeting.”

Dr Rollins resigned as the party whip in the House of Assembly last August following his outspoken criticism of the constitutional amendment bills.

For much of last year, he delivered scathing critiques of his own party and lashed out at Prime Minister Perry Christie. Last year, during debate in the House, he said the country needed new leadership. He added that he was tired of hearing Mr Christie quote scripture in the House of Assembly during important debates. Several days later he was fired from his post as chairman of the Gaming Board by Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, acting prime minister at the time, who said that Dr Rollins had “crossed the line”.

Before firing Dr Rollins, Mr Davis, who reportedly took advice from Mr Christie on the matter, gave the Fort Charlotte MP an ultimatum to tender his resignation. After Dr Rollins failed to comply with the request, he was fired.

A PLP committee was activated in October to review Dr Rollins’ actions after the Fort Charlotte MP refused to apologise for his behaviour.

The committee recommended that the former Gaming Board chairman be suspended from the party for no less than six months.

Dr Rollins is one of three backbenchers to be fired from government appointments since the PLP came to power in May 2012.

Last October, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells was fired from him post as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works months after he signed a $600 million letter of intent with a waste-to-energy company without Cabinet approval.

Outspoken Marco City MP Greg Moss was fired as National Insurance Board (NIB) chairman in January 2013.

Last week, Mr Moss criticised his party on various issues, including the new immigration policy, bills relating to the proposed constitutional referendum and the committee’s recommendation to suspend Dr Rollins.

Mr Christie, however, has dismissed Mr Moss’ critique, telling reporters that he had no interest in the outspoken parliamentarian’s “personal views”. He said Mr Moss should inform him about his concerns privately, in accordance with internal party policies.