By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
MONTAGU MP Richard Lightbourn yesterday said Dr Andre Rollins exercised “poor political judgement” when he spoke against the leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) on a local radio talk show.
Mr Lightbourn said while he felt the Fort Charlotte MP, a recent convert to the party, could have been less critical, he appreciated the content of his comments concerning Dr Hubert Minnis’ decision to meet with Livingston “Toggie” Bullard at his home.
The Montagu MP said he did not think the association was significant enough to necessitate that Dr Minnis resign from office.
However, he added that the controversy - specifically the resignation of the party’s chairman - should pressure the party to hold its convention at the earliest possible time.
“I think it was a little poor political judgment some of what he said,” Mr Lightbourn said. “But I think if you analyse the content and if it was said in a different way, it’s not so critical.
“It’s operating on a principal that the leader was honest; that I think is something we could all understand. But if you operate under the premise that the leader is honest then you don’t need to say something like that.”
Dr Minnis told The Tribune on Monday that he met three times with Mr Bullard, a “gang member” accused in affidavits of being hired to commit criminal acts on behalf of Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
Dr Minnis made his admission to The Tribune hours after Michael Pintard resigned as FNM chairman and senator because of concerns over his involvement in in the court action against Mr Nygard.
Dr Minnis said Mr Bullard, his constituent, wanted him to pass on a warning to Mr Pintard that he was about to be allegedly “set up” by a high-ranking member of the government and others. Dr Minnis said he never discussed Mr Nygard with Mr Bullard, adding Mr Bullard visited him twice more at his home to give him fish caught on a trip. He said he could not remember the specific dates of these visits.
His revelation came a week after Dr Minnis referred to Mr Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma - who is also named as being a part of the conspiracy in court documents - as “two gangsters, at least one of whom being a former convicted criminal.”
Last week in Parliament Dr Minnis referenced the allegations of “murder by assassination of persons who were considered to be inimical to the interests of Peter Nygard” and urged for a police investigation into the claims.
Dr Rollins appeared on Star106.5 FM show “Jeffrey” on Tuesday.
The Fort Charlotte MP called Dr Minnis’ decision to meet with one of the men at the centre of a lawsuit filed on March 9 in the Supreme Court by directors of Save the Bays (STB) against Mr Nygard “unwise”.
Dr Rollins said he found Dr Minnis’ explanation “comical”, and that FNM leader was in a “no win situation” with nothing he could do to remove the sense of embarrassment surrounding his response.
He added that he would not question the leader’s integrity or the veracity of his claim, because he would ultimately have to resign alongside Mr Pintard if he was not truthful.
“I have to believe that Dr Minnis is being forthright and truthful in everything that he says because there’s a price to be paid,” Dr Rollins said on Tuesday.
“If he’s not being truthful in anything that he has said, any explanation that he has given, then clearly Michael Pintard is not the only person that is going to be asked to resign.”
Dr Rollins then clarified that Mr Pintard was not asked to resign but volunteered his resignation. However, Dr Minnis told The Tribune on Monday that he asked Mr Pintard to resign on Sunday night because the FNM did not need “deflection” and had to “concentrate on moving the PLP.”
Yesterday Mr Lightbourn said he felt that Mr Pintard’s resignation was the proper thing to do because the matter would remain a distraction until it was cleared up. He pointed out that the allegations against senior members of the government should inspire similar action.
He defended Dr Minnis’ meeting with Mr Bullard, who he pointed out was a constituent.
“We all have constituents who are not of the best character so at one point in time you probably come in contact with such persons. I don’t think that tarnishes your reputation you can’t ignore people just as you can’t ignore someone that is a different political party. You represent all your constituents.”
Mr Lightbourn added: “At this point from these affidavits and the transcripts, if they’re correct, the Prime Minister had much more connection with these gentlemen than Dr Minnis ever had. So if you adopt that same standard then the Prime Minister should step down as well.
“So I don’t think at this time we’ll make the association, so far as Prime Minister Perry Christie and Minnis go, the (allegations) are not sufficient as it stands for them to step down.”
When asked whether the controversy would impact the FNM’s image, Mr Lightbourn said it was a sad state of affairs.
“We should be at our apex at this point, considering all their (PLP) misdeeds and the state of the nation. Unfortunately that is not the case.
“The chairman, there is framework within the party to determine someone who fills in. Now whether that person would continue to carry the party through to the general election is another thing.”
He added: “I do feel that it should in fact provide some pressure to the party to insure that the convention is held at the earliest possible date.”
Comments
cmiller 8 years, 7 months ago
What??? Leaders are God and cannot be criticized now??? The leader who got fish brought to his house a few times by 'the criminals'????
SP 8 years, 7 months ago
........................................... Please STFU Richard Lightbourn .....................................
Dr. Rollins told the truth in answering a question, which was the only right thing to do. Mike Lightbourn would have preferred Dr. Rollins to be a kiss ass "yassa massa" BOY".
Those days are long gone Richard and ain't coming back! Get with the program or get lost.
We are sick and tired of you trying to whip people into your personal line because they don't grin, bow down and grovel to you.
GFY!
licks2 8 years, 7 months ago
IT WAS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. . .
TalRussell 8 years, 7 months ago
Comrades to deal Richard in the fairest of tones, if it's not too much of an sensitive area, maybe good idea inquire around among his House of Assembly and Senate colleagues, like have there been noticeable signs that the member for Montagu - may possibly be suffering from some form of a multiple political personality disorder, that may activate one personality at a time, likes his seemingly confusing to observers as to his loyalty to his party's leader?
Now, whether this is even possible, without placing the honourable member from Montagu under some kinds clinical trails, is far beyond my head doctoring scope.
Like, I isn't even sure if under Bahamaland law, he would have to consent to volunteer for such clinical trails, or he can just be snatched off floor House of Assembly, when he starts taking confusingly like this?
Either way, it might be good idea to at least try to professionally confirm, why the honourable member from Montagu does reacts in different ways towards his party's leader?
Comrades I have no political axe grand. Why, I'd even settle for just knowing, if he's perfectly fine and it's no more than too many years of a UBPism hang-up thing?
Comrades in all fairness to the Montagu member, the patterns that have been on display over this Nygardgate thing, would justify the snatching of a number of potential clinical trail candidates- from both sides House of Assembly and Senate isles.
Maybe the medical labs has some kinds blood test that they can administer to our most noticeable parliamentarians, who be giving off signs similar loyalty disorders?
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
birdiestrachan 8 years, 7 months ago
Yes indeed you all honest just alike. Minnis may not give you that seat again. so you just go and sing for your supper. Now Common sense which is not very common would dictate that Rollins is who he is he takes himself with him. you all should have known That Rollins would turn on you all, what made you all think you all were some how better ? But I agree with Rollins What a great big Joke not to mention the lies does your leader really expect people to believe that crap? honest you have no idea what it is,
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