The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday called for Prime Minister Perry Christie to fire MICAL MP V Alfred Gray as a Cabinet minister in view of the judicial interference allegations against him and an ongoing police probe.

Mr McCartney said Mr Gray, who has only been relieved of his responsibilities as local government minister, should be completely dismissed from Cabinet.

Should Mr Gray fail to resign or be terminated, Mr McCartney said the country should then look at firing Mr Christie for no longer being fit to hold his office.

Mr McCartney also called for the same treatment to be given to Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, whom he said “misled” the House of Assembly when he first said that the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute’s fire-damaged dorm’s insurance policy had lapsed.

Mr Davis later confirmed the $2.6m structure never had all-risk insurance coverage; something that wasn’t revealed until two months after it was severely damaged by flames on January 15.

“Removing part of his (Gray’s) post as a minister is not sufficient,” Mr McCartney said. “Indeed, a criminal investigation must be had and justice ought to prevail. The prime minister must do his job as the chief executive officer of this country and act now.”

Mr Gray came under fire after the Free National Movement accused him of abusing his power after he contacted the Mayaguana island administrator last week about a young man convicted in his constituency. The administrator was also the local magistrate who presided over that case.

Mr Gray has confirmed that he did contact the island administrator, but has strongly denied that he tried to sway the course of justice.

However, it was reported in The Nassau Guardian on Wednesday that the island administrator, Zephaniah Newbold, said he released the convict outright. He said the man was not on bail, but was released “after an order came forth.”

On Wednesday, Mr Christie said the local government portfolio was transferred from Mr Gray to Minister of Financial Services Hope Strachan. Mr Gray still retains his portfolio as minister of agriculture.