The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest yesterday moved to clear the air over claims by DNA Deputy Leader Chris Mortimer that members of the FNM were more concerned about Baha Mar than governance, calling the assertion a “desperation for relevance”.

The East Grand Bahama MP said the line of accusations being put forth by members of the DNA, now puts the party alongside the Progressive Liberal Party when it comes to political ethics.

On Wednesday, Mr Mortimer hit out at the recent pledge made by Dr Minnis over Baha Mar’s sale, and alleged that members of the FNM are operating solely to redirect Baha Mar to a particular group.

He claimed that the FNM’s inclusion of persons once closely aligned with former Baha Mar owner Sarkis Izmirlian, have morphed the party’s political ideals into special interest.

In response to the allegations yesterday, Mr Turnquest said to question a persons “loyalty and fealty” without evidence is as insulting as one can get.

He added that the country must now question whether this will be the way the DNA will respond to issues, “if by miracle they were ever given the opportunity to govern”. 

“Quite frankly the comment is beneath a would be leader hoping against hope for a role in national governance,” he stated.

Mr Turnquest said: “We have become accustomed to the PLP using this tactic whenever they are uncomfortable under pressure, obviously the DNA is cut from the same cloth, but then again, a vote for the DNA is a vote for the PLP, they are one and the same.”

“The FNM is proud of the 39 patriotic Bahamians who have come forward to serve their country and to help correct the many ills facing it as a result of the abuse and excess of the present PLP government.”

“We will not be distracted by agents of the PLP,” he added.

On Sunday, in a statement posted to his Facebook page, Dr Minnis said his party would “engage and execute a real sale of Baha Mar to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in Bahamians; a purchaser who will utilise only Bahamian labour to complete the resort, and will put Bahamians back to work with real jobs as quickly as possible.”

The next day, Dr Minnis added that if the Baha Mar deal does not stand up to public scrutiny, his party reserves the right “to not approve any sale that is not in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”

The remark attracted extensive criticism from members of the governing Progressive Liberal Party, industry observers and economic pundits; all of whom speculated over the series of moves that would permit Dr Minnis to execute such a feat, given that the resort is a private entity.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis accused Dr Minnis of plotting the resort’s demise for political benefit, and misleading the public.

Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller also took aim at Dr Minnis over the issue, saying while the Killarney MP is his friend, he is “not the smartest man on two legs”. Mr Miller walked those comments back yesterday.

Prime Minister Perry Christie announced the official sale of Baha Mar to CTF BM Holdings, a subsidiary of CTFE last December, at the time stating the resort was set for a phased opening beginning in April 2017, and a full completion by this fall.

It has since been revealed that the sale has not been finalised and that the opening date for the Rosewood hotel brand, owned by the Baha Mar buyer, has been delayed to Spring 2018.