By RASHAD ROLLE

CENTRAL and South Abaco MP Edison Key left the House of Assembly yesterday because he had a doctor’s appointment – not because FNM bosses pressured him to do so, he insisted.

Mr Key was present for the opening of the morning House session but soon left, prompting questions about whether his departure was a response to pressure to align himself with the other opposition members, who are currently boycotting Parliament.

Speaking to The Tribune, Mr Key said: “No one in the FNM asked me to leave. I had a doctor’s appointment.

“I left the House to have my eye examined. I haven’t had any pressure on me.”

On Wednesday of last week, Mr Key remained in the House when all other FNM members exited alongside opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis, who was named and suspended for two House sittings after refusing to apologise for comments he made last month concerning Prime Minister Perry Christie and fashion mogul Peter Nygard.

It was later revealed that the FNM council will consider whether Mr Key is to be reprimanded for breaking ranks with his party.

But Mr Key said he has no regrets.

“When I do something, I don’t just do it,” he said. “I’m not a follower.

“I’ve always fought for myself and tried to make conscious decisions based on truth and honesty.

“If they want to do something drastic on me, that’s entirely up to them.”

Asked about the possibility that he might return to his longtime party, the governing PLP, Mr Key said: “Never know what one might do in life.”

During the House session yesterday, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe defended Mr Key’s actions, saying: “Some people have referred to the member from South Abaco in negative ways. The member from South Abaco should not be referred to as if he was doing something completely, absolutely wrong.

“The member stood on principle and those who do not understand, sometimes when you stand on principle you pay the price.

“The member from South Abaco should know that there is always a place in the PLP for him and if he wants to come home, then it’s time to come home – been gone to long.”