Calls for DPM to resign

There are calls in opposition circles for Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest to resign from Cabinet over accusations made against him by two companies alleging his involvement in a reported $20 million-plus fraud scheme.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)  Leader Philip Brave Davis said in a statement on Friday, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has a duty to act when a minister does not do the “honorable thing”. 

Davis said yesterday the prime minister’s silence on the matter suggests that Turnquest does not have his support.

In a separate statement released on Saturday evening, former Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez said a resignation is in order to preserve the country’s reputation.

Turnquest did not respond to a request for comment on calls for his resignation, but previously denied the “false claims”.

In Free National Movement circles on the weekend, FNMs, including some of Turnquest’s colleagues, expressed worry over the matter with some of them saying it will cast a negative light on the work they are currently doing and on their re-election chances.

Although he is not named as a defendant in the legal action, the deputy prime minister is accused of involvement in a conspiracy that led to two companies being defrauded of over $20 million.

In a statement of claim, the two companies – Alpha Aviation Limited and Advanced Aviation Limited – allege that Randy Butler, Sky Bahamas Airlines Limited and Aviation Oversight Group Ltd., together with Turnquest, conspired “wrongfully and with intent to injure” those companies and/or “to cause loss to them by unlawful means and/or to enrich themselves…”

The court document alleges that these fraudulent acts occurred between 2008 and 2017. Alpha and Advanced allege that Turnquest, who was a director and manager of those companies, and the other “conspirators”, dishonestly caused them to pay away millions of dollars in “bogus loans” and fraudulent invoices and/or book entries.

In his statement to the media on Thursday night, the deputy prime minister said he was appalled that his standing as a public servant made calling his name in this dispute between his former business partners worthwhile, and added that his focus remains on his work to improve and modernize the management of the country’s economy and public finances. 

Davis said on Friday that Turnquest’s statement was “arrogantly dismissive” and missed the point of good governance entirely.

He also noted that the firm of Michael Scott, QC, filed the action. 

Like Turnquest, Scott, in another capacity, is an appointee of the prime minister, the PLP leader noted. 

“Each has different versions of the truth,” Davis said.

“Michael Scott, QC, has placed in the public domain by court action, allegations of fraud and dishonesty against the minister of finance. Mr. Scott is the chairman of the Hotel Corporation and in charge of the sale of the Grand Lucayan hotel in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

“The second appointee is Peter Turnquest, the minister of finance. Mr. Turnquest has said that what Mr. Scott alleges in the writ is false.”

Davis questioned how the matter can be resolved when both claim to be telling the truth.

“Both have clear conflicts between their public duties and their private affairs,” he said.

“In our view, before the end of the day, they must both act to do the honorable thing, which our system demands. If they fail to resign, the prime minister must invite their departures forthwith.”

In his second statement yesterday, Davis said, “It is time to hear from the prime minister from the comfort of his beach holiday in San Salvador. Silence suggests that the deputy prime minister does not have the prime minister’s support.”

Public interest 

Gomez, in his statement, said while the deputy prime minister professes his innocence, as he is so entitled, the public interest looms much larger than his personal issues.

“The Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Attorney General are duty-bound to investigate the veracity of the allegations and to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor, without malice or ill will nor with regard to the high office of the person accused.

“The opposition has properly requested a public response from the government. Days have passed in deafening silence.”

Gomez added, “Surely, the government should at the very least [have] made a public assurance that its relevant agencies have become engaged and that they are each performing their legal duties, including contacting the US Justice Department to ascertain what accounting evidence it or any other government department (such as the IRS) might have to assist our local functionaries in their investigation and making a similar request of the principal of the companies that have made these most serious allegations.

“This is not a matter that can be compromised and the public has every right to expect the investigation to be transparent and fair to both the accused and the accusers. In the meantime, the honorable deputy prime minister and minister of finance ought to resign from Cabinet in accordance with the conventions of the Westminster system of government.

“Alternatively, the most honorable prime minister is obliged to dismiss his deputy prime minister and minister of finance in the public interest. By now, these steps ought to have been completed.”

He said The Bahamas’ standing as a country “demands no less from its political leadership and those charged with the duty to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor nor regard to the station of those alleged to be guilty of very serious criminal matters impacting our standing in the financial services global environment”.

Noting The Bahamas’ relationship with various global institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and Inter-American Development Bank and others, and its relationship with nations like Canada and the United States, Gomez added, “Our national reputation demands of our government that every step be taken to preserve it.”

He said, “For these reasons, the honorable deputy prime minister ought to resign or be fired on the premise that our national interest is superior to and greater than any personal interest of individual members of Cabinet.” 

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/calls-for-dpm-to-resign/