The Tribune

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish has been charged with two counts of rape against a 35-year-old woman. Mr Cornish faced two additional counts of assault and threats of death against the same woman.

FROM EARLIER:

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NORTH Abaco MP Kirk Cornish maintained his innocence yesterday, hours before he was expected to be arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court concerning sexual assault and death threats in a case that had hovered over the political landscape for most of 2023.

“I am fully confident that the facts which emerge during the judicial process will prove my innocence,” he said, breaking his silence more than four months after The Tribune reported that his ex-girlfriend filed a complaint with police making serious allegations.

“I look forward to ending this nightmare. The facts will show that this was a break-up that was manipulated and exploited for political reasons and nothing more. The truth will set me free.”

 Mr Cornish’s statement, released by a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister, came after Philip “Brave” Davis said he requested and accepted Mr Cornish’s resignation as parliamentary secretary in the OPM.

 “I want to assure the people of North Abaco that efforts to build opportunities and relief in your communities are on the way and will face no interruptions,” he said.

 “An independent director of public prosecutions has determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring charges. It is now up to our judicial system to resolve the outcome, so I will not be providing additional comment except to say that my prayers are extended to all who are suffering because of this matter.”

 Mr Cornish expressed no intention to resign his seat as MP. The law only requires an MP’s resignation when they are found guilty of a crime.

 Almost a month ago, Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Fraizer recommended Mr Cornish be charged. By convention, the police always follow the recommendation of her office.

 However, it remained unclear in recent weeks what would happen and when, with top police officials proving difficult to reach or remaining silent on the matter.

 On July 12, after receiving the recommendation from the DPP, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander told The Tribune “just stand by”, suggesting movement in the case would be immediate.

On July 30, when pressed on this newspaper’s understanding of what the DPP recommended, he said his intent would be disclosed within a week.

 Police ended the mystery when they released a statement yesterday afternoon, announcing that a 48-year-old man from Abaco would be arraigned after preliminary reports indicated “that around 7.30pm on Friday, April 7, 2023, a 35-year-old female of S.C. Bootle Highway reported to police that she was sexually assaulted and threatened by a male known to her”.

 Bjorn Ferguson represents the accuser in the matter. Mr Cornish is to be arraigned at the Nassau Magistrate’s Court at 10am today.