The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Data Protection Commissioner Sharmie Farrington-Austin is not concerned about the naysayers who question her motivation to make a bid for the South Andros constituency as an independent candidate in next year’s general election.

At her official campaign launch yesterday in the Ocean View Suites conference room at the SuperClubs Breezes Resort, Mrs Farrington-Austin responded to speculation as to whether her intention to run for public office stemmed from her recent dismissal as Data Protection Commissioner following her bold rebuke of the use and disclosure of private emails in proceedings in the House of Assembly.

When asked by The Tribune if this were the case, her response was: “Absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever.”

“I am more for the people. I believe that we can move our people forward by doing economic diversification, community development and scholarship opportunities. That is my sole focus and my only focus going forward to make sure that the people of Andros benefit.

“I always said that I was in the data commission position as a transitional one. I was always very clear that I was called to serve as I always knew that I was and so once I would have completed that, I felt in my heart that what (more) can we do to move our country forward? And I believe that these are the times where we are being challenged as young Bahamians to step up to the plate.

“And my father Bishop Ellis (Farrington) and his generation, they stood up in 1967 so I think it’s incumbent upon us as young people to move to the forefront to move our country forward and Andros is the best choice.”

Mrs Farrington, who was cheered by the 100 plus supporters at yesterday’s launch, expressed confidence in her chances to represent the South Andros constituency.

“I feel very enthused and excited to know that I’m going to be taking up the mantle to provide service to the people of Andros where I was born and to give back to the country,” she said.

“I believe that we have a great country. I believe that Andros will lead the way in the 21st century Bahamas and so I thought that it was best, when I considered giving national service, it was only fitting to go back home where I was born to give the service.”

Sending a call to others pondering pursuing a seat, she said: “Wherever you find yourself, you should serve.”

“But my main thrust is me standing as an independent could be a source of inspiration because I know there are many young people out there who want to serve and they may not necessarily align themselves with a political party. And I want to say to them to stand up and stand on their character, stand on their merit and offer the Bahamian people a viable alternative,” she stressed.

In March, while contributing to the mid-year budget debate, Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald read from private emails exchanged between members of Save the Bays. These included Grand Bahama attorney Fred Smith, entertainer Kirkland “KB” Bodie, public relations specialist Diane Phillips, environmentalists Romauld Ferreira and Joseph Darville in addition to former Free National Movement Chairman and Senator Michael Pintard.

He later tabled the documents.

At the time, Mr Ftizgerald claimed Save The Bays masquerades as an environmental watchdog group, but has used million of dollars to “entrap” Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard in an alleged murder plot to ultimately “destabilise” the government.

The former Data Protection Commissioner issued a statement in response to complaints over what transpired in Parliament.

While she noted that none of the parties allegedly affected by the tabling of the emails has made any direct complaint to the Office of The Data Protection Commissioner, she cautioned against the practice of obtaining private citizens’ correspondence and tabling them in the House of Assembly.

“It is my considered view that members of Parliament ought to be cognisant of the fact that members of the public expect that their Members of Parliament will be held to the same standard as ordinary citizens in relation to the commission of a criminal offence.

“No citizen should be above the law. This office cautions against the practice of obtaining private citizens’ correspondence and tabling them in the House of Assembly. This, in my view is a most dangerous trend and opens up the society to chaos. Citizens have a right to expect that their private communications would enjoy the protection afforded them under the laws of the country.”

She further noted that documents tabled in the House of Assembly enjoy parliamentary privilege. Under section five of the Data Protection Privacy of Personal Information Act, she said deliberations of Parliament and parliamentary committees, are excluded. Therefore, the Data Protection Commissioner is not the appropriate authority to make any rulings or comments with respect to the admissibility of correspondence in Parliament.

Last week, Justice Indra Charles in her ruling found that Mr Fitzgerald’s actions in acquiring, disclosing and releasing specifically Save The Bays internal emails were not legally justified and therefore could not be protected by parliamentary privilege.

As a result, she ordered that he pay $150,000 in damages for the breach and barred him from any further disclosures or publications of information belonging to the Save The Bays organisation.

Mr Fitzgerald was also ordered to delete all materials in his possession within 14 days.