Simon Wilson returns as financial secretary

Financial Secretary Simon Wilson, who was placed on leave under the Minnis administration, has returned to his position at the Ministry of Finance, Guardian Business can confirm.

In a September 18 email to staff, Acting Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson advised Ministry of Finance employees of Wilson’s return. 

Wilson told Guardian Business yesterday that he visited Johnson on Friday.

During that visit, Wilson said he was told that he would have to secure a letter of appointment to return to his position as financial secretary.

Wilson, however, was mum on his return. 

In his email, Johnson wrote, “This note is to advise that Mr. Simon Wilson has returned off of leave and has resumed his substantive position as financial secretary.

“He and I are presently working through the transition to ensure a smooth handover. However, all matters requiring the attention or input of the financial secretary may now be sent to him.

“Do kindly extend to him the same incredible support and professionalism that you have extended to me during my time acting in the chair.”

Wilson was placed on a leave of absence and replaced by Johnson four months after the Free National Movement won the 2017 general election.

In 2018, he sued the government alleging that he was treated unfairly and defamed by officials after he was told to vacate his post as financial secretary and directed to go on leave.

In a statement of claim, Wilson claimed that then-Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis met with him on or about August 24, 2017 and asked him to “vacate the position of financial secretary by the end of the month”.

Wilson will re-enter his position just as the country received another credit rating downgrade by Moody’s, and at a time when the economy is in one of the deepest slumps in history because of the global COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

The Bahamas is fraught with growing debt levels and faces increased borrowing costs.

Under the former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government, Wilson helped to oversee the introduction of value-added tax (VAT). 

The newly-elected PLP government has vowed to lower VAT to 10 percent in order to stimulate the country’s economy.

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