NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames.
By SANNIE BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames vowed yesterday the government would not bow to threats as it strives to wipe out corruption.
His statement came after a tabloid report that he, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Attorney General Carl Bethel and Minister for Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson have all tightened security because of alleged threats to their lives.
The threats were allegedly made in response to the recent arrests and prosecution of three former Progressive Liberal Party members of Parliament.
Mr Dames refused to discuss the report directly but stressed the government would not be distracted “by persons who feel or believe they can intimidate.”
And while not confirmed by police, a well-placed source in the Minnis administration told The Tribune yesterday the reports of the threats were true.
However, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold told reporters yesterday that he knows of “no credible threats to the prime minister or anyone else”. Mr Newbold also said the security detail “has not been beefed up” and “remains the same”.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander told The Tribune he “has no information” regarding the alleged death threats. However, he said “if it were true” police would take the matter “very seriously” and “act accordingly”.
When asked about the claims yesterday, Mr Dames said: “We have a responsibility, when we were on the campaign trail, one of the things that we said we were going to do is address public sector corruption and no one is barred from that. No one is free from that. If you are a public figure, whether you are a politician, whether you are PLP, FNM, DNA or whether you sit in some ministry of government.
“If someone comes and makes a legitimate complaint or if the police see through other means there is a need for them to step in an investigate, we will investigate. We are not sitting down and saying, ‘this what should be investigated or investigate his one or investigate that one.’ This is a misconception.
“Just let me say this, no amount of threats is going to intimidate this government. I have been at this before and so we are not going to be distracted by persons believing or feeling as if they can intimidate. I am not concerned. I am not prepared to speak on that in any other way, but I will say this, we are a government and we govern by laws and all of those who are in contravention to those laws will be made account. No amount of intimidation, no amount of threats will change that, that’s reality. It’s as simple as that.”
When asked if Cabinet members have increased security, Mr Dames said: “Protecting members of Parliament is key for any government.”
“Security and protecting MPs is always key for any government,” he added.
“That’s all a part of your everyday work. It’s something that any government takes seriously, the security of its members, Cabinet members and other senior members of government. “Anytime one feels there is a need to address a specific threat or threats coming from wherever, then those in authority or those who have that responsibility will do what they need to do,” Mr Dames said.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 4 months ago
The security details for the individuals referred to in the second paragraph of this article should be reviewed by law enforcement authorities to ensure they are adequate given the current post-election "heated" environment. Thugs loaded with anger (like Bradley Roberts) are not above arranging for just about anything to be done out of a deranged sense of entitlement and revenge all rolled up in one combustible package.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrades! Sounds likes Minister Marvin's 'perceived' threats is akin to the former MP for Long Island had so many times ran to the media complaining about the risks to her safety? In fact when Loretta complained to the leadership of her own red shirts party - she was to later run back to the media complaining how she was totally ignored by red party officials?
{ Comrades, you couldn't make this stuff up cause isn't this suppose be about: "It's The People's Time Be Protected By The Policeman's? }
banker 7 years, 4 months ago
Do the "brownies" make your worship irrelevance?
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
No, Comrade Banker, but they does make it possible for me to imagine colors that no one has never seen before?
tell_it_like_it_is 7 years, 4 months ago
Let the law take its course. If this story is true, it's really nonsensical. What would they hope to accomplish by death threats, other than being arrested themselves?
Reality_Check 7 years, 4 months ago
Security personnel need to be concerned about the threats of physical harm being acted on. It is not beyond the pale of certain dirty thugs (especially the loud mouth kind), who may feel threatened by what the ongoing investigations may uncover, to hire even dirtier low-life thugs to carry out dastardly deeds that they would wish to have done as an intimidation tactic.
birdiestrachan 7 years, 4 months ago
What threats is he talking about?? when Anthony Newbold knows of no threats. and the police know of no threats.
sealice 7 years, 4 months ago
Death threats from the PLP that don't want to admit to their crimes..... par for the course? I wouldn't have expected anything less??
John 7 years, 4 months ago
With 86 murders thus far this year and a possible 130 possible before the end of the year no threats of death or physical harm should be taken lightly. And if a government fails to carry out its duties for fear of repercussions, then that is a failed government. But unless Marvin Dames knows something the rest of us does not know, he should not give the impression of 'I dare you to touch us, any one of us.' Truth and reality is there are some sick, twisted minded individuals in this country who are loyal and will be loyal to politicians and political parties regardless of the circumstance. And the feel it is their duty and responsibility to protect politicians and party at any cost. Couple with that the detection rate for murder in this country is declining and the conviction rate, especially for this year is around 10%. Death threats should not be taken lightly.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrades! I just can't picture this red shirts cabinet sticking together as a united team - all the way into the 2022 General Election? There is also the talk within the backroom circle red party financial backers - about Minnis - not lasting as PM all the way to 2022?
The question now is - who is to fill the important UBP connected seat around the reds backroom monies table - left vacant by the passing Montagu's Johnstone?
It's a known fact that at least Six (6) red shirts cabinet ministers - owe their very political existence to those who have no intentions of sticking it out with Minnis as their PM?
realfreethinker 7 years, 4 months ago
Tal you are as full of shit as a constipated elephant.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrade RealFreeThinker, where did you get such a half-baked idea from?
realfreethinker 7 years, 4 months ago
You just seem to pull these red shirt stories out of your sphincter
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
Comrade RealFreeThinker, try using your sphincter muscles to prevent yarself from passing wind.
licks2 7 years, 4 months ago
The PLP will have to "run" out of this country if there is any killing done to stop this justice train from "running over" that corrupt group of men. . .tal you forgot that this train that is running over yinna PLP is being "manned" and "pushed" by the people! If the PLP strike out at our elected government. . .THEY WILL BE DECLARING WAR ON THIS NATION. . . A WAR THAT THEY WILL REGRET GREATLY!!
John 7 years, 4 months ago
Can someone please translate what Tal said.
TalRussell 7 years, 4 months ago
My Dear Comrade John, I said, what was that foreigner's name that Minnis most signaled out from a population 391,000 (excluding the 150,000 illegals) to stand next to him while Her Excellency Dame Marguerite - sworn him in as Bahamaland's Rt. Honourable Prime Minister?
{ Hint: He once declared himself as heading his own short-lived Cable Beach Nation? }.
SP 7 years, 4 months ago
NO....PLEASE!
PastorTroy 7 years, 4 months ago
Power is an illusion, no party has the power over The Bahamas; WE THE PEOPLE DO! It's very important for the future of the PLP and it's current and former members that no one in our current government is retaliated on simply for just doing what THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR! If for some stupid reason somthing should happen to ANY of or current leaders, for carrying out THE PEOPLE'S duty; wearing a yellow shirt in the future could become hazardous to one's health. This is no individual threat, but simply the way I predict it may be in our Bahamaland. #CivilWar
John 7 years, 4 months ago
@Tal : Well obviously he did not have the power and influence over Minnis he thought he had. Which is a good thing. But the man has $900 million on the line to be lost. And if Minnis, as prime minister can use his influence, legally, to help him then why not. And there should never be another Bah Mar built on the island of New Providence for at least 20 years.
birdiestrachan 7 years, 4 months ago
Pastor troy is threating persons who wear yellow. the police know of no threats Mr. Newbold knows of no threats. why put these things in the public eyes. The FNM is the Government they won . there is no need for violence we should all pray for our Country to be a peace full place. no form of violence will do the Bahamas or its people any good. In spite of the threats of the man who gives Pastors a bad name. TROY
BMW 7 years, 4 months ago
dumb bird the only pastor that talks a bunch of sh.t and make themselves look bad in standing up for some shameless idiot that has been caught with his hand deep inside the cookie jar!!
PastorTroy 7 years, 4 months ago
Really? REALLY? How much do they pay you to lick the floor with your tongue sir/madam? I have many members of my family who wears "yellow shirts" You've really lost it since the PLP got humbled by THE PEOPLE in the last election. You're giving birds a bad name, of all the birds you could be since you repeat so much PLP nonsense, I was thinking you were a parrot, but obviously, you can't read either. READ IT AGAIN: "This is no individual threat, but simply the way (((I predict it may be in our Bahamaland))))). #CivilWar"
The_Oracle 7 years, 4 months ago
The problem is not cleaning up the swamp, the problem is the swamp dwellers who have been pillaging for 49 years are scared, and scared rats will bite. While so far more recent offenders have been targeted, and hopefully can be convicted and jailed, stripped of assets, at what point does one stop? It is that latter point that a thief fears: losing their ill gotten gains. To be technically correct we should go back to the beginning. In reality maybe 2-3 administrations? Yes, odds are some are prepared to kill to protect themselves.
SP 7 years, 4 months ago
Good point! The Bahamian mafia will not go down without a fight.
These people are guilty of so many atrocities against the Bahamas and have tucked away so many $BILLIONS that they will indeed not think twice about murder to maintain the status quo!
PM Sheriff Minnis and his team should be extra careful to protect themselves from what has been termed a "criminal organization" consisting of PLP and FNM collaborators.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 4 months ago
Very true!
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