Mr. Speaker,
I rise to make a communication to this Honourable House on a matter of grave public importance.
Mr. Speaker,
It was as a result of the efforts of this the Official Opposition that the alledged troubling abuse of power and unconstitutionality on the part of Mr. Alfred Gray, MP for MICAL was brought to the light of day.
The record is clear. Mr. Gray, Member for MICAL, publicly admitted that he had spoken to the said Local Magistrate in that Magistrate’s conduct of a judicial matter. The member for MICAL says he was merely offering (what appears now to have been, unsolicited) “Legal Advice”. The Member has been openly contradicted in this day’s newspaper by the said Magistrate, who stated categorically that he had been “ordered” and pursuant to the order had released the prisoner, not released him on Bail, but released him unconditionally; and after the prisoner had been sentenced previously to a term of imprisonment.
This is a matter of the uttermost seriousness. It is a blatant violation of the constitutionally enshrined independence of the Judiciary from political interference. The actions of the Minister might also amount to a criminal offence.
The Minister’s alleged conduct was serious enough for him to be relieved of his portfolio as Minister responsible for local government, pending the results of the police investigation; as has been announced in this place today.
However, with all due respect, this half measure is absolutely insufficient. The fact is that the Member for MICAL has admitted at the very least, to conduct which calls into question his very suitability for Public Office.
HE ACTED AS A SITTING MINISTER AND AS SUCH HE SHOULD BE RELIEVED OF ALL OF HIS RESPONSIBILITIES NOT ONLY ONE ASPECT.
The independence of the Judiciary is a cardinal pillar of our Constitutional Democracy, and is, also, fundamental to the economic well-being of every Bahamian, since no one, Bahamian or non-Bahamian, would be prepared to invest their money in a country where the Judiciary can, with apparent impunity receive instructions, orders, or even “Legal Advice” from a Cabinet Minister.
This House as the first bastion of Democracy must be prepared to demand and to impose the most stringent standards of conduct in defence of our Constitution, and our Democracy. Nothing less will do.
THE GOVERNMENT MUST REQUIRE THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF THE MEMBER FOR MICAL, MR. ALFRED GRAY FROM CABINET, FORTWITH.
NOTHING ELSE WILL DO. NOTHING LESS WILL SUFFICE.
