Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in Atlantis on Wednesday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Deputy Chief Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday said he would not meet with Leader of the Opposition Philip “Brave” Davis as he dismissed concerns about being the subject of payback following a letter from the PLP leader.
Dr Minnis insisted his “life is an open book” and hit out at Mr Davis for breaching protocol after the harsh letter was leaked to the press.
Asked to clarify whether Mr Davis called him in relation to the letter, Dr Minnis said “No. N-P-O. No.” He repeated the same in response to questions of whether he would meet with Mr Davis over this issue in the future.
It is unclear what Dr Minnis was referring to when he said “NPO”. However, he could have been referring to medical Latin term “nil per os”, which when translated in English means “nothing through the mouth”.
“My life is an open book I have nothing to hide,” Dr Minnis said when asked if he was concerned he could find himself subject to any payback at the hands of the PLP. He was speaking to the media following a tour of Atlantis on Paradise Island.
“My only worry today is that yesterday (Monday) was my anniversary and I forgot,” Dr Minnis added.
Last week, Mr Davis wrote a strongly worded letter to Dr Minnis regarding criminal probes of PLPs. He warned: “When you set out to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two.”
The letter was leaked to The Tribune and other media and also circulated on Facebook and messaging platform WhatsApp.
Dr Minnis suggested he rejected the letter because it was made public. He said Mr Davis could have called him, but as it stands, the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP has not done so.
“The leader of the opposition, if he wanted to speak to me, he knows what to do if he sent a letter to me. He subsequently gave the letter to the press and social media. He is not talking to me. He knows protocol.”
The Tribune did not receive the letter in question from Mr Davis.
Dr Minnis also said: “Listen, whoever does wrong will be dealt with be they PLP, be they FNM. Once they have done wrong, then the laws will take their course. Let the chips fall where they may. If he has facts, then give it to the police. Don’t tell me about it. Don’t tell the press. Give it to the press.”
Mr Davis’ letter, which was written on July 18, highlights his frustrations with the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s (RBPF) anti-corruption investigations.
Calling investigations like the one into former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Dion Smith an “abuse of power,” Mr Davis warned: “When such abuses of power occur, the offending parties, be they police officers or politicians, need to understand that there will come a day of reckoning for them as well.
“What goes around, comes around. And let me hasten to add that that is not a threat. It is an immutable law of the moral universe, one that is sometimes expressed in these words: when you set out to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two.”
Mr Davis added: “Those who are committing these abuses should therefore understand they cannot do so with impunity. To use your own words: where you do wrong and abuse your position, there are consequences.”
Mr Davis wrote that while he believes crimes should be investigated when reasonably suspected, exonerating information should be taken into account during investigations.
Mr Davis also expressed concern that investigations have not been “free of political contamination”.
In his letter to Dr Minnis, which was also sent to Attorney General Carl Bethel and National Security Minister Marvin Dames, Mr Davis protested the treatment of the PLP politicians who have been in custody, including Mr Smith whom he felt should not have “spent a night in jail even after it had become unmistakably clear that there were no reasonable grounds for believing that he had committed any criminal offense whatsoever”.
Mr Smith, former executive chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, was arrested and held in police custody overnight in late May in connection with a theft probe from the government agency, police said at the time.
Eight other people were also arrested over the course of the investigation, however no one was ever charged.
Earlier this month, Assistant Commissioner Paul Rolle said police closed the investigation into the matter and found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Yesterday, Dr Minnis also ignored questions over whether he was still renting a building to the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).
In 2015, while in opposition, Dr Minnis came under criticism over allegations he was involved in a conflict of interest because a company he owned was renting to the PHA while he sat in Cabinet as health minister under the previous Ingraham administration.
However, Dr Minnis has said after becoming the minister his interests were disclosed as is required by law and also to former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. He has said Mr Ingraham told him to have the PHA relocate as soon as was possible.
But now that the Minnis administration’s anti-corruption plan is underway and some former PLP politicians have been questioned by authorities while others have faced charges before the courts, questions have again surfaced over whether the prime minister is still financially benefitting from the PHA.
Dr Minnis’ company, Leechez Investments Ltd, was awarded a two-year contract with the PHA to lease its Stat Care building in 2005 while he was a private citizen. Dr Minnis has said he disclosed the contract while in office and said he had directed the PHA to find another landlord. However the contract continued on a month-to-month basis and Dr Minnis disclosed the matter in his financial declaration submitted to the Parliamentary Registration Department ahead of the 2017 general election.
According to an April 18, 2017 letter from the PHA, the contract is valued at $7,500 a month.
Comments
TalRussell 7 years, 3 months ago
Comrdes! Is the Rt. Honourable Prime Minister suggesting that the interim Leader Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition be denied the right to have presented his request to the media for meeting with the PM? Whatever came of - It's the People's time for Transparency?' Yet, the PM's own Red Shirts Cabinet Ministers are in the media talking about the policeman's are preparing to bring serious criminal charges against PLP's..... and before the suspected accused had even been interviewed by the policeman's? Isn't this what the old Sir Stafford Bay Street Boys would do - hide things from the people?
DDK 7 years, 3 months ago
Are you not twisting the facts around to your non-red point of view, Comrade?
TalRussell 7 years, 3 months ago
Comrade DDK, what I do have is lots red shirts notes. But I do not have a convenient short memory. Minnis must have himself ignored protocol when he strongly criticised then PM Christie - for not accepting his now red senator 'We March's' demand for a meeting....... all played out in the media. Minnis is coming across as.... Look "Brave," don't do as I did in opposition - just do as I now say you is to do now that I is the red shirts PM!
sheeprunner12 7 years, 3 months ago
Davis is out of order ......... What he did is bordering on sedition ....... Again, it shows the mentality of Pingdomites ........... But we believe that Fweddy put Davis up to do this ..... OLD FOOL
sealice 7 years, 3 months ago
Davis threatened to Kill the Prime Minister of the Bahamas and received nothing..... now some fella singing in rawson square got locked up for talking the same way by the PLP...... what you blitchin about brave? you ain't got nothin....
John 7 years, 3 months ago
The PLP is groping for straws. But at the same time they are like a wild animal cornered grabbing and clawing at everything and everyone. Dangerous enough but doing more harm to themselves.
TalRussell 7 years, 3 months ago
Comrades! The PM of 'transparency' hired his press man's 'ACE' to shield him from the media's questions. The PM promised to hold 'regular' press conferences with the media...yet not only has he not held his fist press conference since becoming PM -but there is NO scheduled date for a press conference. Truth is the people will only hear from 'ACE' with his prepared script but not directly from the PM. Be aware that 'ACE' done has Six (6) people working for him in the PM's office and preparing hire even more? It's the People's time - sure as hell didn't know they were hiring 'ACE" be their PM. Now, did they? But why should any this ducking from the media except by scripted press releases surprise the population - when "ACE' was acting as Minnis's scripted spokesman's all along in opposition. Minnis is not new ducking from both the media and the not showing up in the House of Assembly. Comrade"ACE's' larger than life ego - is goin be fun watch over the next Five-years. Him ego is enormous!
birdiestrachan 7 years, 3 months ago
Mr. Davis used a quote that is well or should be well known. roc wit doc is to high and mighty at this time to meet with Mr. Davis. It is all right. nothing last for ever or indeed for very long. This is a quote.
realfreethinker 7 years, 3 months ago
Minnis will be a fool to meet Davis on this subject If Davis has a problwm with those arrest,he needs to take it up with the COP. No politician should be in the middle of this. Go away birdie
yari 7 years, 3 months ago
Why don't the P.L.P. trolls just crawl into their holes and die? To meet with this idiot is to validate his nonsense.Right call Dr. Minnis!
Sickened 7 years, 3 months ago
Right call indeed - but wrong spelling!
licks2 7 years, 3 months ago
Mr Davis don't get it. . .we got work to do. . .nobody into their foolishness. . .if they have a list of FNMs who are "tiefin too" give it to the Police them. . .but he must remember to put his own name on that list too. . .otherwise. . .get a dang life!!!
TalRussell 7 years, 3 months ago
Comrades! Reds be cautious how you be wildly at war with critics of Minnis and his regime. Be cautious of repeating a cover up by Republicans when they knows in their hearts that Trump is a Capital Ass- who is in need of an appointment with Head doctor.
"KP" read the 'riot act' to all ministers to place a 'hiring freeze' on new government workers......yet, the PM hires 'ACE' to shield him from the media....and 'ACE' done hired what we know is Six (6) workers for the PM's Press Office, and he's interviewed even more potential new press workers?
You 'near poor' red shirts out work....How many out of paycheques red shirts - were hired since May 10, 2017? Red Shirts have always been closely aligned with the US Republican's mean and lack transparency ways but the're even closer now that Trump is President.
Let's return to restoring public order!
SP 7 years, 3 months ago
Pillage Loot Plunder leader Philip “Brave” Davis sounds overwhelmingly perturbed NOT "Brave" at this juncture.
Phillip Davis's “What goes around, comes around" threat can only be realized if the electorate is fool, stupid and ignorant enough to return Pillage Loot Plunder to power.......This ain't, isn't, won't, and not gonna happen under no stretch whatsoever of anybody with an iota of sense imagination!
PM Dr. Hubert Minnis decision of no meetings with Pillage Loot Plunder first mate Philip “Brave” Davis who is perceived as a well known sneaky, untrustworthy, slim lawyer extraordinaire, is indeed the right course of action.
No negotiations, surrender or comprimises. Just prisoners Mr. Davis.....Just prisoners!
Those that did nothing wrong have nothing to fear. However, conversely, those found guilty of piracy, teefin across the political divide must be brought to justice.
SP 7 years, 3 months ago
PM Dr. Hubert Minnis invitation for Philip Brave Davis to "call the police" will NEVER happen!
"Brave" is not fool enough to call the cops knowing full well they're itching to find a reason to carry his backside for questioning anyway...LOL...Lol.
This is a very defining moment for "Brave"! He needs to consult with Christie, Roberts, Mitchell, Gomez, and Munroe then call the police!
Let's see if Davis is really "Brave" or just" fool".... Go on Phil, call the police.....PM Minnis called your bluff and the electorate dares you to prove him wrong.
Fox Hill prison is especially lovely this time of year.....Lol!!!
BMW 7 years, 3 months ago
Short grubby gready grimey call the police ask them to meet you at the fire station. You had alot of meetings there.
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 3 months ago
Repost: Minnis needs to table the threatening letter he received from Davis at the next sitting of the House of Assembly and it will then be for the Speaker of the House (under the Rules of the House) to demand that Davis immediately offer a formal apology for his poor choice of words that were interpreted by many in the public to be a threat of physical harm to the PM if he does not stop the ongoing investigations into corruption by senior officials in the last government. Threatening physical harm to the PM or possibly inciting others to cause such harm to the PM is totally unacceptable behaviour and conduct on the part of anyone, especially a fellow sitting member of parliament. Minnis has an opportunity here to ensure the right message is sent everyone in the country when it comes to this most serious matter.
Reality_Check 7 years, 3 months ago
This should be done whether or not Minnis himself may have felt threatened - it's the perception / interpretation by many in the public that counts in a serious matter like this one!
birdiestrachan 7 years, 3 months ago
it was not a threat. It could stand up no place, But I did see the men who will be taking doc job from him in the picture . He should watch them. What Mr; Davis said is in some way Biblical. Remember every dog has its day Sow the wind reap the whirlwind. .
BahamasForBahamians 7 years, 3 months ago
Hubert Alexander has become too high and mighty in two months we see.. Denying requests to meet already we see.. Wow.
Complaining about the press being involved.. Wow.
Wasn't this the premise of his campaign making things public for the purpose of the 'people'?
Bahamian History dictates what happens to Prime Ministers in The Bahamas that have become too high and mighty.
The_Oracle 7 years, 3 months ago
If you don't want to play the old game, get up from the table. Minnis has no time for the politricks of old, adept at sucking you down the road to perdition. His time is no doubt consumed with serious affairs of state, while wearing a hazmat suit! A legitimate meeting on a legitimate subject is one thing, a meeting after such a position of self preservation is asking for trouble. Stay clear of the cornered rats.
realfreethinker 7 years, 3 months ago
Yep
sheeprunner12 7 years, 3 months ago
Minnis cannot meet with Davis under the present conditions surrounding the release of the letter ........... It was a PR stunt by the PLP .... I am sure Davis could have called Minnis and they could have had the same conversation at the OPM .......... but Fweddy had another agenda
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