Cornelius A Smith was sworn in as deputy to the governor general at Government House in 2018 by Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Vera Watkins.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis yesterday called on the Minnis administration to abandon former Cabinet minister and diplomat CA Smith as their choice to become the next Governor General.
Mr Davis insisted Mr Smith’s appointment has not yet been approved by Buckingham Palace despite claims made in a viral video prematurely announcing the decision.
The Cat Island MP noted Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ silence on the matter.
“CA Smith also said that his appointment was approved by Buckingham Palace. This is untrue and is therefore of great concern to us,” Mr Davis said at a press conference yesterday, “I now note that he has, in fact, apologised.”
When questioned further, Mr Davis said: “I think (the FNM) needs to revisit the matter. The apology for example did not take into account this mistake on his part.
“But what we know is,” he continued, “if a person is so (blatant), unless he has some reasonable explanation why he would have said what he said, in other words, if for example the prime minister told him, ‘well I already got the answer from Buckingham,’ and he’s repeating the prime minister, then I can excuse him and then I’ll go after the prime minister.
“But on the face of it, we know that, that has not happened as yet.”
Yesterday, the Office of the Prime Minister declined comment on the matter.
Mr Smith broke the news to staff at a farewell luncheon at the Passport Office in Grand Bahama - a move he later explained was done in “strictest confidence”.
The farewell lunch marked Mr Smith’s resignation as the non-resident ambassador to Panama, and a portion of his remarks were recorded on a cell phone and shared on social media.
“As a result of Her Majesty the Queen appointing me to be governor general I found it necessary to have to resign in the position,” Mr Smith said in the video, “I had to be transited to another position. The swearing-in will take place on the last Friday of June in Nassau.”
Mr Smith has declined further comment on the matter.
In his written apology, he explained his announcement was done in “strictest confidence” as a private discussion that was never intended to be made public.
Comments
Chucky 5 years, 5 months ago
Who cares if buckingham palace approves
We should shun the monarchy.
It’s the most anti democratic institution in the world
moncurcool 5 years, 5 months ago
I agree 100% with you. Who cares. . All Davis is trying to do is make a political issue out of a non issue. So what the man announced it in a private meeting. Who cares. It's only a ceremonial post really. Davis need to get a life and try focus on real issues. this pettiness shows clearly he lacks vision.
BMW 5 years, 5 months ago
I think short stubby grubby sticky fingers needs to sit small. Has he ever been man enough to say I am wrong?? NEVER the plunder loot pillage way would be tough it is what it is. I pray he never gets anywhere close to PM!
sheeprunner12 5 years, 5 months ago
The Governor General post is as obsolete as the Senate and any other appointed post that is not properly vetted and voted upon by a bi-partisan or independent Committee ........ The PM has dictatorial powers that make our democracy a farce ........ We say that a PM can be removed from Office by his fellow MPs, but in reality, he appoints a big Cabinet to neutralize both the Legislature and the Executive ............. This GG spat is a waste of our time and our Treasury money.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 5 months ago
'AC DC' Smith's apparent appointment as GG by Minnis is yet another shining example of Minnis's inability to exercise good judgement.
licks2 5 years, 5 months ago
And this post shows my opinion of you. . .reckless, mean and lone mouth. . . wetting people up with your juices. . .but adding zilch to the human dialogue around here. . .a classic case of cognitive inertia!! Stuck in a grove all by yourself!!
TalRussell 5 years, 5 months ago
Some days I would have argument over appointment Comrade Governor-General but never against just the pocket change the office costs PeoplesPublicPurse to maintain.
The GG earns mere pocket change $37,000 per year although they do gets sleep same bed as did the former King of England slept on during Duke of Windsor's time Governor of the Colony 1940-1945, when the Englishman's steamed him and Duchess off Colony of Out Islands to prevent their former King from plotting with Hitler. Even in retirement, GG will still receive $37,000 salary but upon his/her/ death their surviving spouse gets only $18,500.yearly............... so, Colony is not going go broke paying out for our current GG, nor pennies after their death, yes, no.............. I think fair say, all we GG's since Independence have respectfully well earned their couple pennies we pay out...... probably right at bottom pay scale other Commonwealth GG'.s.................and to the couple surviving GG, we wish you all good health stick around more years come.....
licks2 5 years, 5 months ago
SAY WHATEVER YINNA LIKE. . .THE QUEEN IS OUR CONSTITUTIONAL HEAD OF STATE. . .WITH GG AS HEAD OF COUNTRY. . .VICE ROY TO THE QUEEN INSTATE. . .THE PM AS HEAD-MINISTER. . .APPOINTED BY THE GG. . .AS PER ORDER-IN-CHIEF 1973!!
Every law or high order appointments are signed or approved by the GG. . .OR IT IS NOT LAW OR APPOINTMENTS!!
Yinna have QCs, the Privy Council as yinna last court of appeal and yinna still around talk nonsense. . .I suggest a class in Bahamas Constitutional Law for most of yinna. . .
CatIslandBoy 5 years, 5 months ago
Davis needs to shut up and go quietly into the night. No one is listening to him.
bogart 5 years, 5 months ago
CUNNING ..AN SHREWD......TO BE DA NEXT GG....FAVOURS DA BOLDNESS TO RESIGNING SUBSTANTIVE POSTS..........AINT WAITING AROUND LIKE IMPORTANT .....GUBBERMINT LAST MINUTE APPOINTING OFFICIAL......SOON AFTER REGRETABLY PASSING AWAY..............AINT WAITING ROUND....LIKE ANOTHER APPOINTEE TO IMPORTANT POSITION WAITED AN GETS DAYS JUST BEFORE RETIREMENT............AINT WAITING ROUND OTHERS SPECULATIONS IN DA WING.............Appointed GG...mentioning to closed strict confidence persons......seems potential if his boldness in action albeit story leaked out despite conversation in confidence transfers his enthusiasminto his appointed role as GG.......in action driven moving nation forward...
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