By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The Free National Movement (FNM) yesterday accused Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts of launching a personal attack on outgoing Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson because of a decision by the police force to probe a rape allegation against the former minister several years ago.
"It appears that Bradley Roberts' personal vendetta against Commissioner of Police Reginald Ferguson is related to the decision of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to properly investigate and to forward to the Office of the Attorney General the corroborated criminal complaint of having been raped made against then Cabinet Minister Bradley Roberts by a businesswoman," the FNM said in its statement.
The FNM statement was sent a day after Roberts released a statement in response to an announcement from the Cabinet Office that Ellison Greenslade has been appointed acting commissioner of police as Ferguson is on pre-retirement leave.
In his statement on Sunday, Roberts said the PLP remains disappointed over the initial "political" appointment of Ferguson.
"This was a human example of the FNM's policy of 'stop, cancel and review', in what would have been the most appropriate appointment of Mr. Greenslade," Roberts opined.
"This decision, we feel, contributed to the disintegration of trust on the Royal Bahamas Police Force as well as very regressive crime fighting strategies during one of the most socially chaotic periods in the history of our country."
The PLP chairman said Greenslade is therefore forced to begin his new post at a grave disadvantage with murder and armed robbery statistics higher than any other time in the country.
But the FNM shot back yesterday saying it is unfortunate that Roberts should continuously seek to politicize the Royal Bahamas Police Force and, in particular, the outgoing commissioner. The FNM said Roberts, while commenting on Greenslade's appointment, was unable to resist once again "making nasty personal attacks" on Ferguson.
Responding to the FNM's statement, Roberts said the party is "totally wrong" in its suggestion that he holds personal animosity toward Ferguson.
"The allegation of rape made against me was after all, unequivocally and unconditionally withdrawn by the virtual complainant," he noted.
"I do not for one moment believe that it was my statement on the appointment of Greenslade which caused the ire of Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and (FNM Chairman) Carl Bethel," Roberts said.
"Rather, it was what I brought to the attention of the Bahamian public regarding a serious matter which was dealt with by a Senior Justice of the Supreme Court which involved Commissioner Ferguson. I am being so viciously attacked because of this matter of national interest which I revealed at a meeting of the PLP Fox Hill Branch..."
Roberts was referring to a ruling handed down months ago that was critical of the commissioner of police.
The Nassau Guardian reported recently that the Office of the Attorney General withdrew its appeal of Senior Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs' decision to stay the prosecution of two men accused of a murder that occurred almost 10 years ago.
Police arrested Shawn Saunders and Warren "Spy" Ellis last year and charged them with the murder of Timothy Jansen Henfield — who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2000 — and conspiring to murder his older brother Marvin Henfield.
The prosecution's decision not to proceed with the appeal is significant as Prime Minister Ingraham had repeatedly said in Parliament that Isaacs' landmark ruling of May 27 would be challenged. Justice Isaacs said the evidence in the case had been "tainted by police misconduct."
Proposed prosecution witness Lorraine Major swore an affidavit alleging that police had pressured and tricked her into giving a statement that implicated both men in the murder. She alleged that Police Commissioner Ferguson (who at the time was acting commissioner) and an ASP Fernander had obtained her statement through coercion.
Roberts claimed that if this ruling had been made against a junior officer he would have been disciplined in accordance with Force Orders.
"COP Ferguson should be treated the same way as every other officer would have been treated; i.e. he should be suspended, interdicted, disciplined and the matter investigated," he said at the Fox Hill meeting. "COP Ferguson should go now without further delay."
Quoting what he said at the meeting, Roberts said the PLP was investigating the filing of a constitutional motion to put the commissioner of police on leave in accordance with Force Orders.
"I wish to make it clear that at no time did I personally attack retired Commissioner Ferguson, outside the realm of his office," the PLP chairman said in his statement yesterday.
"At no time for that matter can it be said that I have gone on a personal attack of the personal character of any politician or high-ranking member of society from the seat of the PLP chairmanship. I have been fierce on issues, fierce yes, on inefficiencies in the performance of duties. And I shall continue to, in a relentless fashion, expose these deficiencies and or corruption wherever they may be hiding, as it relates to the governance of our country.
"But the Bahamian public has my assurance that I will never sink to the level of gutter politics as has been espoused by this communications unit of the Free National Movement."
Roberts informed that his attorneys have advised that a portion of the FNM's statement is clearly libelous and as such his legal team is exploring the option of legal recourse.
December 08, 2009
thenassauguardian
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.
