By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie says he has the right to determine who should serve in any government Ministry in the event that its Minister is absent.

With that, he defended the decision to have himself act as Minister of National Security while Dr Bernard Nottage kept a doctor’s appointment in the United States last week.

Mr Christie explained that if there are critical matters occurring that requires the Prime Minister to take charge, he elects to do so.

He said: “There are times when I act for different Ministers even the Minister of Youth or the Minister of Education. There are times when I elect that. So in the absence of the Minister, the permanent secretary and the authorities of the Ministry would have not just another Minister to refer to, but the Prime Minister and someone who is responsible for Finance.

“So in the case of that Ministry I have the greatest confidence in (State National Security Minister Keith) Bell. Remember it was this Prime Minister who invited Bell to be a member of the Cabinet, but in the circumstances I chose to assume the responsibility for reasons that Prime Ministers know why they do that. They are in a position to do it.”

Last Tuesday, FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis questioned why Mr Bell had not been appointed to oversee National Security as he is the junior Minister.

The day before, Cabinet released a press statement announcing that Dr Nottage would be in the US to keep a medical appointment and while he was absent Mr Christie would take on the National Security portfolio.

Dr Minnis said the decision demonstrated that Mr Christie had no confidence in Mr Bell.

“The Prime Minister,” Dr Minnis said, “has enough trouble and challenges as it is with his own Ministry, which is Finance and the amount of expenditure in addition to their poor budgeting and now he wants to take on another Ministry. National Security is serious business given crime and criminal activity in the country.

“If he is saying that he does not have confidence in Keith Bell, well I suggest that they find something else for him to do.”