PRESS secretary Clint Watson. (File photo)
By Leandra Rolle
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRESS secretary Clint Watson says he believes there needs to be discussions about what sort of settlement agreements should be revealed to the public to ensure transparency while also protecting “people’s right to privacy”.
Mr Watson’s comment came after police Commissioner Clayton Fernander and Deputy Commissioner Leamond Deleveaux recently settled a 2019 lawsuit with the Davis administration.
The lawsuit was filed in response to their forced vacation leave under the former administration.
The details of their settlement, including the amounts awarded, have not been disclosed due to a confidentiality agreement, The Tribune understands.
Yesterday, Mr Watson was asked to respond to concerns that secret agreements demonstrate a lack of transparency on the government’s part.
“We, like you, have seen what’s been happening and you know Prime Minister Davis allows agencies to operate and conduct business in what he believes to be the best interest,” Mr Watson said during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.
“I would quote what one of the ministers in the House of Assembly said when it came up and it was Myles Laroda and he said more importantly, it’s for the protection of citizens.
“Could you imagine if you have a settlement and that’s made public. The mentality of some people may make you a target. They believe that whether you’re walking around with money or not, that you have something and sometimes it’s important, particularly when you recognising the season that you’re in, to protect people’s rights to privacy and also their safety and when you expose that kind of information, you make people targets.”
Mr Watson said while the Davis administration has not stated a position on the issue, he believes a discussion should be held so government could come up with a policy that equally ensures public trust and protects people’s right to privacy.
“Now, I have always been one that says transparency is important and so I think this is a good example perhaps of discussion as to how do we marry both to satisfy the need for and importance of people having transparency versus people’s security being compromised and I think transparency is important,” the press secretary added.
“But you know the transparency that people want to know, why do you want to know - just because you want to be able to give an account of the people’s money or you’re just nosy and you want to know how much money they get. The purpose of it is important right, and I think that has to be something that has to be addressed, but I do believe that if that’s the way governments will go, they ought to (tell) the Bahamian people in advance so people are aware and you know why and not just say well, it ain’t your business. I think it is important because it’s the people’s money to be able to explain what’s happening, but obviously the government has to make a decision and that’s a good question for the Attorney General to advise us on as to what’s the best way forward in that, but I do know one of the concerns has been security.”
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Comments
TigerB 2 years, 4 months ago
I find it odd that persons who were awarded monetary settlements by the courts which the gov't should have paid them first, yet these people are getting theirs first, along with the like of Shane Gibson and those other clowns, could be that they all are PLP?
realfreethinker 2 years, 4 months ago
probably
BONEFISH 2 years, 3 months ago
The PLP government should disclose the amount of these settlements and their reasoning for these settlements. They should explain why these persons were jumped in front of the queue in getting their money. There are others who have sued the government and won. This needs to be done in the name of transparency, good governance and accountability.
A s for the FNM, they can't talk on this matter. They made a substantial payment to Algernon Cargill, the former director of NIB. This was in settlement of a suit filed against a previous PLP government. That was done under a confidential non-disclosure agreement.
SP 2 years, 3 months ago
Clint Watson obviously take Bahamians for ignorant jackasses!
The general public has a "RIGHT TO KNOW" every detail concerning payouts from the "PUBLIC TREASURY".
Had this been in place decades ago the secret asinine political stupidity agreed to by the PLP & FNM to reward illegal deported Haitians with $250.00 which is actually the equivalent of year's of an entire year's income for Haitians could never have happened!
These jackasses we put in Parliament over the decades have proven beyond any doubt whatsoever that they are totally incapable of managing the publics money!!
Parliament should be made to get the tax payers approval before acting foot loose and fancy free with taxpayers funds!
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
THE AMOUNT OF TAXPAYER FUNDS USED TO SETTLE ANY LEGAL ACTION IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS A NAMED PARTY TO THE ACTION IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW, PERIOD.
AND NO MATTER WHO MAY INSTIGATE A LEGAL ACTION INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT AS A NAMED PARTY, SIMPLY MUST ACCEPT THAT FULL DETAILS OF THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO PAY FOR AND/OR SETTLE THE ACTION ARE A LEGITIMATE MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.
PUT ANOTHER WAY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO USE THE JUDICIAL BRANCH TO HIDE THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
Frankly, it's absolutely farcical for that idiot AG appointed by Davis to suggest the public at large is not entitled to full details of the settlement of each and every legal claim made against the government where the claimant was/is a public official.
mandela 2 years, 3 months ago
Although a New Day comes and goes it seems to be the same old day as before.
DWW 2 years, 3 months ago
jackasses, all of them. if you are willing to play with fire, you have to be willing to risk getting burned. if you don't want your employment details known to the public then don't take a job work for the PUBLIC SERVICE. someone explain the meaning of the word PUBLIC to the jackasses. iF yOU sUE tHE gOVT tHEN yOU sUE mE aND aLL tHE tAX pAYERS. yOU sUE mE i hAVE tHE rIGHT TO kNOW hOW mUCH i lOST. dUMBASS
DWW 2 years, 3 months ago
tHE SHEER AUDACITY OF DAVIS IS ASTOUNDING AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN 1 YEAR. lORD hELP uS fOR tHE nEXT fIVE. tHESE dUMASS vOTERS gETTTING tHE gOVT tHEY dESERVE.
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