The Tribune

DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has taken grave exception to The Tribune conducting what he has called a “shameful” smear campaign against him by publishing from affidavits of covert recordings filed in the Supreme Court last week that suggest he had a close relationship with two criminals, who were delegated to protect Canadian fashion designer Peter Nygard’s interests in the Bahamas.

The Deputy Prime Minister called The Tribune’s publication of the affidavit irresponsible and accused the newspaper of creating political mischief.

The five videos filed in court are a part of a string of allegations detailed in the affidavit from John Joseph DiPaolo, a Fort Lauderdale investigator paid for by Save The Bays. Mr DiPaolo, along with a team of retired FBI, Scotland Yard and Bahamian investigators, concluded that Mr Nygard paid Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma to harass Save the Bays and commit criminal acts, The Tribune reported on Friday

“The information which has been revealed by a recorded conversation between Canadian businessman, investor and resident of The Bahamas, Peter Nygard, and two of his employees, has sent a shiver down the spine of all right-thinking Bahamians,” said FNM Shadow Attorney General Richard Lightbourn, in a statement today.

“The recording, which has been widely circulated within the country, raises very serious issues concerning perceived interference with the legal process and the security of our citizens. There seems little doubt that the recordings are genuine and as such require the immediate attention of our police Department and the Attorney General’s office. There are also serious issues raised concerning Mr Nygard’s relationship with senior political figures in the country which should immediately be addressed by the authorities,” said Mr Lightbourn.

It is for this reason that The Tribune did its public duty by informing Bahamians of what has been whispered on the streets for months. Not only is it chilling information, but for the sake of this country it is a matter that needs urgent attention — and resolution.

On Friday, Mr Davis said: “The use of an untested affidavit to make allegations that smear my character is irresponsible. It is astounding that a newspaper of record would stoop to such nonsense. This is indeed a new low even for The Tribune. I condemn it.”

It is obvious that the affidavit is untested — The Tribune never pretended that it was. The very reason that it is now before the court is for it to be tested, and not remain some idle smear campaign. However, if there is any truth in any of the many allegations now before the court, this country has moved from one insidious era of “Bahamas for Sale” to a repeat performance, but this time with alleged criminal overtones.

If the publication of this information has done nothing else – particularly if there is any truth to any of these allegations – the instigators will now run for cover and the pressure will be taken off those who were being forced for a price to compromise the future of The Bahamas.

Mr Davis said the only conclusion he could come to for The Tribune “printing the affidavit was to create political mischief. This kind of political gamesmanship is unbecoming. It is clear from the morning daily story that I have no connection to this matter, so it is clear that the only intention is to smear.”

In printing this article, The Tribune was not trying to create political mischief. It was trying to save this country and its people from what appeared — if true — highway robbery. Already there had been too much shadow boxing, which got bolder and bolder behind the scenes until it broke out into paying some of our vendors to stuff Nygard propaganda into The Tribune as if it were a part of the newspaper. We quickly nipped that in the bud.

It was then followed by the hate-filled marches, which allegedly, according to court documents, were underwritten by Mr Nygard. This drew Bahamians into the mix. Bahamians at this level were not prepared to accept such uncivil behaviour. Eventually the pandora’s box was pried open. Out spilled a road map that if carried to conclusion promised the ruination of this country to fulfil one man’s dream. If any of the filed documents are to be believed several members of our government were caught in the web of intrigue.

“I express my deepest disapproval of this level of uncivil, indecent, uncultured act by The Tribune crafted in their haste to spew lies,” said Mr Davis.

There was nothing uncivil, indecent, or uncultured in The Tribune’s decision to publish. This is the duty of a serious newspaper. We do not stand in judgment on the content of any of these affidavits — this is for the court to prove or disprove. However, it is a newspaper’s duty to alert its readers to the dangers that are lurking in dark corners — even to the halls of parliament.

The Tribune was looking to smear no one. The Tribune was doing its civic duty in informing citizens of allegations of serious, even criminal plotting going on behind closed doors. We repeat that we do not know how much, or if any part of these allegations — although there are video and taped recordings of many conversations — are true. It is not our duty to determine what is true or false. The Tribune has done its duty by warning our citizens of what is alleged to be going on in our country. Having done our duty, it is now up to the courts to urgently hear and test the allegations and arrive at a verdict.

However, we want to alert the public that we are not going to allow them to debate the pros and cons of the accusations in the columns of this newspaper. That prerogative belongs solely to the courts. The matter is now sub judice – that is under judicial consideration, thus prohibited from public discussion elsewhere – including the columns of a newspaper. Other than publishing what is on the public record, the weighing of the truth of that record is out of our hands and will not be discussed in The Tribune.

However, we urge that this matter be treated with the utmost haste because it has already started to take its toll in the columns of newspapers abroad.

And so, Mr Davis, The Tribune is ashamed of nothing. It has done its duty by the Bahamian people, who have the right to know.

And as for that commentator on Tribune242 who suggested that the late Sir Etienne Dupuch would now be turning in his grave because of The Tribune’s exposure of these grave happenings, we can assure him that Sir Etienne would be dancing with pride that his heirs had lived up to this newspaper’s motto — “being bound to swear to the dogmas of no master” — and the upholding of our belief that the people have the right to know.

Without a Freedom of Information Act, The Tribune will continue the uphill struggle to keep the Bahamian people well informed.

And so we make no apologies —The Tribune has discharged its duty to the Bahamian people.