The Nassau Guardian
Nottage says spying claims ‘irresponsible’
National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage yesterday dismissed “irresponsible” claims by Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner that the government is using the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to “engage in domestic spying on the Bahamian people”.
Nottage said Butler-Turner’s comments were “unbecoming of a member of Parliament”.
Outside the House of Assembly, Nottage said her comments were “foolish”.
“Absolutely foolish,” he said.
“How would she know that?
“What do you mean nobody has any idea [what the NIA is doing]? I have an idea. I don’t care to deal with that now.”
When asked if the NIA is spying on Bahamians through reading text messages and emails and listening in on telephone calls, Nottage said,
“Please. No. I am not checking anybody’s private business. We are after criminals.”
During a rally at the Free National Movement’s (FNM) headquarters on Tuesday night, Butler-Turner said no legislation was brought to Parliament to set up the agency and questioned its legality.
She questioned whether information is being collected for political purposes and then being passed on to the most senior members of the Cabinet.
“Is the National Intelligence Agency the PLP’s secret intelligence operations unit just as ZNS is its broadcasting and propaganda arm? What is happening to our Bahamas?” Butler-Turner asked.
She added, “What we may now have is a possible illegal agency engaging in spying on the Bahamian people, possibly listening to our telephone calls, reading our texts and emails, gathering information on God knows who and for God knows what.
“What is the legal standing of this domestic spy agency and network?”
Speaking in the House of Assembly last night, Nottage addressed the issue further.
He held up a copy of The Nassau Guardian’s Wednesday edition for all members of the House of Assembly to see.
The headline read, “FNM deputy says govt may be spying”.
He accused the FNM of trying to “sully his reputation with these false accusations”.
He further charged that the opposition is more concerned about attracting crowds.
Speaking on a point of order, Butler-Turner said Bahamians have a right to know what the NIA is doing. But Nottage brushed her comments off.
The NIA was created by the Christie administration.
According to government officials, it is responsible for collecting and transmitting valuable intelligence to various law enforcement agencies to aid in the fight against smuggling and terrorism.
Former Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Clifford ‘Butch’ Scavella heads the agency.
Speaking about the creation of the NIA in August 2012, Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell told The Nassau Guardian he expected Nottage to bring legislation to Parliament to strengthen the proposed unit, but said the NIA will be able to do some work without any new laws.
The creation of the NIA was a campaign pledge of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and outlined in its Charter for Governance.
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