The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

The Prime Minister, God bless his soul, is not a lawyer so he may not have fully appreciated his public assurance to the so-called Cabbage Beach Protesters last year when they were arrested and charged for assorted alleged criminal offences.

While I am able to “understand” his sentiments about expunging any criminal convictions, he sent a very dangerous message to the nation at large and the judiciary in particular.

The criminal matters against those protesters are still working their way through the system and it is traditionally not appropriate to publicly comment on matters which might be sub judice or under judicial consideration.

The legal advisors to the then leader of the Opposition did not serve him or the FNM well. My gratuitous advise to Dr Minnis would be to simply remain quiet on this matter until after all judicial proceedings would have been completed. No more.....no less.

There are several “hot button” issues which will have to be dealt with in 2018 and the PM would do well to focus his attention on these and leave pending judicial matters alone.

Assorted ministers in the FNM administration also need to get their collective scripts together and not be seen to be publicly issuing what appear to be conflicting positions on matters of public policy initiatives.

To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR.

Nassau,

January 13, 2018.