The Tribune

BY LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said acting Parliamentary Commissioner Arthur Taylor requested reassignment to another government agency, insisting that no one from his ministry directed his removal.

Mr Munroe, who has ministerial responsibility for the department, said he was informed that Mr Taylor sought the transfer through the Office of the Prime Minister after applying for vacation leave. He said he only learned of the matter after returning to the country recently.

“I never sought Mr Taylor’s removal,” he said, adding that he could not say who would replace him.

His comments responded to opposition calls for transparency following The Tribune’s report on Mr Taylor’s reassignment.

Mr Taylor declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard told reporters earlier yesterday that Mr Taylor’s appointment to the key post lacked the FNM’s support and accused the government of elevating him despite his party’s objections.

“Nobody protested to me,” Mr Munroe said in response.

Mr Taylor’s sudden departure contrasts with public statements he made just two months ago, when he told The Tribune his department was ramping up preparations for the next general election.

At the time, he dismissed criticism of the local government election process, attributing delays to bad weather and insisting that only three polling divisions — Bimini, Harbour Island, and North Eleuthera — faced significant issues.

However, reports from others painted a different picture, citing ballot errors, polling stations opening up to six hours late, and widespread voter confusion.

Sources claim those election issues influenced the decision to transfer Mr Taylor, but Mr Munroe said this was not his understanding and reiterated that he had no role in the move.

“When I left the island, he was in post as commissioner in office,” he said. “When I returned on Monday, I was advised that he’d asked to proceed on leave, which was granted, and I was told that he applied to be transferred from the Parliamentary Registration Department.”

Asked whether he was satisfied with Mr Taylor’s performance, Mr Munroe said: “You can always do a better job at everything.”

He noted that when he assumed office, the then-parliamentary commissioner provided a report outlining successes, concerns, and recommendations for improvement. He said he is awaiting a similar report on the recent local government elections.

When a reporter suggested he did not appear particularly concerned about Mr Taylor’s departure, Mr Munroe pointed out that several high-ranking officials had previously left top posts, stating: “There are no sacred cows in this country.”

He added that his ministry’s priority is ensuring its agencies function effectively, saying: “No organisation should rise and fall and become disastrous if one person exits.”

He also rejected a claim from Mr Pintard that a Canadian company had been hired to manage aspects of the election process.

“If he’s talking about managing an election, no company, local or foreign, has been engaged to manage any election, local government or general,” he said.