By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis argued that Financial Secretary Simon Wilson should be fired because of his recent altercation with a reporter at the Office of the Prime Minister.
“In our nation reeling with so much crime and violence, the financial secretary’s abusive behaviour sent a terrible message,” he said during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly.
“The prime minister runs a slack operation at OPM.”
On May 30, Nassau Guardian reporter Youri Kemp accused Mr Wilson of lying about the JDL cargo management company and its contract to manage freight at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, prompting the financial secretary to react angrily.
Ultimately, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis restrained Mr Wilson, who approached Mr Kemp, wagged his finger in his face, and said: “I will walk out here and wait for you.”
Mr Wilson issued a public apology, calling his conflict “entirely regrettable”, adding that it did not reflect the kind of interactions he has strived to maintain with the press.
Nonetheless, Dr Minnis said yesterday: “The prime minister should have immediately requested the financial secretary’s resignation. The prime minister should have directly spoken about the incident. Instead, a weak as water statement of apology was released.
“The financial secretary also sent the wrong message to the public service, the media, labour unions, the business community, international partners, and others who have to work with both the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance.
“Because he was upset, he wanted to fight and throw blows. There is too much of this mindset in the country already. Excessive hostility and the inability to solve conflicts peacefully are behind much of the violence in our country.”
Dr Minnis condemned Mr Wilson and said if Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis fails to fire him, it shows he condones his behaviour.
“The member for Elizabeth did not have to resign while she was investigated for allegedly assaulting a police officer,” he said. “The former immigration minister did not have to resign from Cabinet when serious questions were raised about his conduct with some Chinese workers.
“If you are tight with this prime minister, you have nothing to worry about. It seems you can do as you please. The financial secretary should be removed from his post forthwith due to his conduct. There is little doubt that the financial secretary will once again cause major problems for his supposed boss and for the government.”
Comments
Porcupine 6 months, 2 weeks ago
"There is little doubt that the financial secretary will once again cause major problems for his supposed boss and for the government.” Dr. Minnis, this is exactly the message the PM wants to portray to our people. You are missing the bigger picture.
birdiestrachan 6 months, 2 weeks ago
You have been fired doc
birdiestrachan 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Same doc who promised to kick backside same doc
trueBahamian 6 months, 1 week ago
Although, Mr. Minnis isn't the best person to deliver this message, lol, he is correct. Mr. Wilson should be punished for his behavior. You can not send a message that your Funancial Secretary is a thug. He is the highest ranked civil servant in the Ministry of Finance that the country 3xpects to be the gatekeeper of our money. So, he should be held to the highest standard. It's quite serious that we tell young guys they need to resolve conflicts peacefully yet we have a middle aged professional looking to get in an old fashioned street brawl because he didn't like the approach from a reporter. I would admit the reporter probably wanted to provoke him. But, a professional wouldn't have stooped to the level of fighting. This is grossly unacceptable. The PM consistently shows he has no interest in running this country or keeping his team in line. I think he just wanted to have PM on his resume. After that the country could go to hell.
birdiestrachan 6 months, 1 week ago
This is the same doc who sent Mr Wilson home, granted mr Wilson should not have said what he did there are no more duels in this age
birdiestrachan 6 months, 1 week ago
Mr Wilson in spite of all is a good at what he does he said he was sorry the Bahamas needs him unlike doc even his FNM party Wants he gone they say he is the worse ever,
DWW 6 months, 1 week ago
we do not need wilson. what a stupid statement. every single person is replaceable
moncurcool 6 months, 1 week ago
Don't waste time trying to reason with birdie. Birdie is typical of the type of people who are keeping this country back. They do not have the intelligence to reason and to put country above political party.
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