The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MONIQUE Gomez, the Free National Movement’s new senator-designate, yesterday said there is “no bad blood” between her and FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, while insisting that she has “always” done everything in her power to support the party’s leadership.

The party announced yesterday that the FNM Women’s Association president and lawyer will fill the Senate post left vacant by former party Chairman Michael Pintard when he resigned last week.

The announcement came a day after The Tribune reported that Ms Gomez was being eyed for the post.

In a press release, Dr Minnis said he was confident that Ms Gomez would serve the nation with distinction and pride in the Upper Chamber.

This follows speculation that Ms Gomez and Dr Minnis were at odds over his decision to appoint Lanisha Rolle to the Senate last year.

Insiders have also said there was controversy within the FNM after the party gave Howard Johnson the nomination to run in the South Beach constituency despite Ms Gomez’s work in the area for several years.

However, she said this is not the case.

“There is no bad blood between us. He is the leader and whomever he appoints that’s his prerogative. But I have done everything I could to support the party and leader,” Ms Gomez told The Tribune.

“The first order of business I would wish to work on is women and children’s issues because I think that is something we need to work on.

“Also education is something that I think we need to improve because too many of our children are not getting the education that they should because it is difficult for them to find employment. So we have to look at ways to challenge our children.

“But I think that it’s a great opportunity for me. I have served my country in my professions and my church for many years and I believe in service above self.”

Speaking about her appointment, Dr Minnis said: “I am most confident that Ms Gomez will serve our nation with distinction and provide exemplary service in the Upper Chamber of our legislature on behalf of all Bahamians.’”

Mr Pintard resigned last week Monday over concerns about his involvement in a lawsuit against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard.

He announced his decision to tender his resignation from public office in a series of Facebook posts.

After holding both posts for less than two years, he maintained that his resignation was not an admission of guilt.

He said: “I fear no legal or ethical wrongdoing in my role in meetings when PLP/Nygard operatives made me aware of their past criminal acts and possible dastardly and unbelievable plot that posed a potential threat to the lives and reputation of citizens of this nation.

“I resign because I want our party not to be distracted in our effort to defeat an incompetent and unethical government. Thanks again and God bless you and all Bahamians.”

He has been mired in controversy since he was named in a lawsuit filed on March 9 against Mr Nygard and his lawyer Keod Smith by four Save The Bays (STB) directors – Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith and Mr Bacon – and Reverend CB Moss, who is not a part of STB.

Ms Gomez received a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of London and was awarded a master’s of law from University College, London.

In 1988, Ms Gomez was called to the Bahamas Bar. She is also a former Bar Council member. She practices in the areas of civil, commercial, family and criminal law.

Ms Gomez has wide legal experience, having worked as an associate in the law firm of Christie, Ingraham & Co and Sterling Quant & Co.

From 1993 to 1999 she served as senior counsel in the Office of the Attorney General.