The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

MORE than a month after the she accused sitting Free National Movement (FNM) members of Parliament of being “jealous” of party chief Dr Hubert Minnis, Senator Lanisha Rolle publicly apologised to those she offended.

Senator Rolle also offered some insight into her thought process in the wake of the scathing criticism leveled by her towards Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and other FNM MPs in late January, calling the entire ordeal a learning opportunity that she wished had played out differently.

Speaking as guest on the 96.9 FM talk show “The Conversation” with host Shenique Miller - the same show on which she made her now infamous comments - the senator said her life has always been guided by biblical principles and values which have helped her deal with this matter and apologise to those that were offended by her statements.

Senator Rolle said her intent during her initial call-in to the show in January was to shift the public’s focus away from the FNM’s leadership issues and on to the failures of the Progressive Liberal Party, but she said she inadvertently “created more talk.”

“I did think at the time that certain things needed to be said but, in hindsight, I think it could have been done a different way,” she said. “What I was trying to convey, and I hoped that I conveyed, was that the Free National Movement had followed a democratic process according to the (party’s) constitution and I wanted to encourage all.”

“I wanted the (negative) talk to actually cease because our focus is on the Progressive Liberal Party and the fact that they are failing the Bahamian people,” she added.

Senator Rolle in January suggested that the Bahamian public would never vote for Mrs Butler-Turner as prime minister over Perry Christie and said she should “humble” herself before the FNM leader.

She also said Dr Minnis had the support of FNM delegates and that only a few FNM MPs who were “holding seats for now” did not support him.

Addressing those comments yesterday, Senator Rolle said her words only brought more spotlight on the FNM, contending that while she sees the need for brutally honest politicians in the Bahamas, at times trying to be honest can hurt those you care about.

“To the extent that any person would have been offended by any part or to the extent they would have been offended by my comments, I do apologise; but certainly that was not the intent.”

“Certainly I am here to build the party and I support every Free National Movement member of Parliament 100 per cent and certainly I follow and support the leader 110 per cent because he pushes us to the 100 per cent.”

According to Senator Rolle, once she was informed by officials of the FNM’s Central Council that her comments had in fact offended members of the party, she immediately moved to contact those members and offer a private apology.

However, a number of MPs later called on Mrs Rolle to make a public apology for the comments, which they saw as disrespectful.

In a joint statement in early February, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman; Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn; North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and Mrs Butler-Turner joined Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant in calling for a public apology from Mrs Rolle.

The group said the “unprovoked and extreme” remarks made by Senator Rolle left many FNM supporters “dismayed.”

Mrs Rolle yesterday said she has and will continue to apologise to those members she offended. She added that while errors of her actions are now evident, members can rest assured that she would continue to offer remorse.

“It’s about doing the right thing,” she said. “I love my brother and sisters in the Free National Movement, I have said that before and I say that again without reservation. What we need to do win the next government is what I am committed to do as opposition senator.”

Mrs Rolle said she firmly believes that if the party resolves its issues, Dr Minnis can lead the group to a landslide victory in the 2017 general election.

She called on the public to view the party as a holistic unit being built to meet a number of set objectives.

She cautioned the public not to judge the candidates ratified by the party to date and understand that they are part of the machinery that is working constantly for the betterment of the Bahamian people.

To date, the Free National Movement has ratified 11 candidates and committed itself to holding a convention by November 30.