The Governing Free National Movement (FNM) slams Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts

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"The allegation of rape made against me was after all, unequivocally and unconditionally withdrawn by the virtual complainant," he noted.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

Bahamas Blog Bahamas

Bradley Roberts on Allegations and Rumors of Rape

Bradley Roberts Warns Media on Rape Claim

 

 

 

 

By Candia Dames

Nassau, Bahamas

candiadames@hotmail.com

Jan 04, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a new twist to a growing media storm over a rape allegation made against him, Minister of Works and Utilities Bradley Roberts yesterday warned local media organizations that he will sue them for any further reports on the matter and he suggested that they run apologies.

 

Meanwhile, police were set to send the file relating to this investigation to the Attorney General's Office this morning.

 

Minister Roberts' warning came as coverage of the rape claim spread in the international press with the Jamaica Observer reporting that a 47-year-old woman has accused Minister Roberts of raping her in her Nassau home on December 4.

 

In a recent interview with the Bahama Journal, Minister Roberts said that he knows the woman in question.

 

Last week, other papers, including some in Scotland and the Florida Sun Sentinel also picked up the story.

 

But Minister Roberts's warning was directed squarely at the local press, and addressed more specifically to the publishers and general managers of all broadcast and print outlets.

 

"I hereby put you on notice that any further linking of my name to any allegation of rape – except for the purpose of withdrawing or repudiating the same – will result in an action against you and your media organization for damages for defamation", Minister Roberts said in a statement.

 

The warning not to report his name in relation to the rape claim amounted to a curious and ridiculous turn of events given that last week Minister Roberts contacted the media, inviting coverage when he released a statement informing that he had voluntarily gone to the police to answer questions in relation to the allegation.

He was also asked at the time to respond to calls made by the Free National Movement for his resignation, but said Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Raynard Rigby will release a statement to address that matter.

 

The PLP again invited coverage of the rape claim when Mr. Rigby released a statement saying that the party had been convinced of Minister Roberts' innocence.

 

Asked last night how he could threaten to sue when he invited this kind of coverage only a week ago, Minister Roberts said that he has been advised not to make any further statements in relation to this matter.

 

The letter sent to the press last night was copied to his attorneys, Paul L. Adderley, Philip 'Brave' Davis, and Sean McWeeney.

However, when contacted last night Mr. Adderley denied that he is representing the Minister in this matter.

 

Minister Roberts said the rape allegation is "completely and utterly false and for you to publicize the same is without any legal justification or excuse.  In this regard, you seem to be unaware that to publish the fact that someone has made [an] allegation of rape against an identifiable person is as defamatory as the original allegation if the allegation is untrue as it most certainly is in relation to me.

 

"The fact that you may only be reporting that such an allegation has been made gives you no legal protection whatsoever.  If you doubt the correctness of this you would be well advised to consult your own attorneys."

 

Minister Roberts continued, "To the extent that you have already defamed me in any previous reference to the allegation of rape, it should be clearly understood that all my rights against you and your organization are reserved in full.  You may wish, of course, to mitigate your position by publishing an appropriate retraction and apology.

"Alternatively, you may wish to increase your ultimate exposure to me by ignoring this opportunity to make partial amends for the injury you have already inflicted upon me. The choice is yours.

 

"In the meantime I have instructed my attorney to put themselves in a state of immediate readiness to deal with this matter.  I have no intention of allowing anyone else to assassinate my reputation and character by giving currency to allegations and rumors that are completely devoid of any foundation in fact."