Cabinet Minister 'was on verge of quitting'
tribune242:
AFTER a particularly contentious exchange in Cabinet last week between Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and his MP for Killarney, it is reported that Dr Hubert Minnis was on the verge of resigning his cabinet post, but changed his mind.
According to well-placed sources within the party, it is claimed that Mr Ingraham "belittled" his Minister of Health to the point that the minister felt he had no other option but to tender his resignation.
However, since this exchange it is said that Dr Minnis has been "talked out" of his previous position.
Sources claim the incident occurred during a special cabinet meeting in front of some 25 persons last week.
Having always been perceived as a "close friend" and ally of the Prime Minister, other sources within the FNM said that even if the Killarney MP was so personally offended, he would not have resigned from his cabinet appointment as the MP has always held future leadership aspirations.
However, a well-placed source within the government claimed that Dr Minnis and the Prime Minister's relationship has been strained for over a year.
"It would be political suicide for him to leave. In my opinion Minnis is too Machiavellian for that. So even if he was offended to that degree I don't see him leaving.
"Once they had an exchange in the Smokers Room at the House (of Assembly) and someone asked, 'Hey, isn't that your friend?' And the response I recall was that 'there isn't any friends in here'."
With one of his Members of Parliament, Branville McCartney having already resigned from the Cabinet earlier this year, Mr Ingraham noted at the time that it is always regrettable for a Prime Minister to lose a Minister or Minister of State.
As for Dr Minnis, it is unknown what sparked the disagreement or how the incident will play itself out as cabinet is expected to meet today and the Budget debate opens in Parliament on Wednesday.
Repeated attempts to reach the MP for Killarney were unsuccessful up to press time last night.
June 01, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
