By KYLE WALKINE

Tribune Staff Reporter

kwalkine@tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL Pintard has officially been announced as the new Free National Movement (FNM) senator.

Mr Pintard served as a senator during the previous FNM administration.

The announcement came Thursday morning from FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, who said the decision came after a long process of selecting from a “wide tent” of potential senators.

“We have had quite a number of individuals to select from,” the FNM leader said. “We have a wide tent of men and women who would fit the mould of being an FNM senator. I believe in building an equal opportunity based society where young people share within companies. I also believe that we should elevate our young people so that they can become our future leaders and owners in this country. Today, we have with us our new senator, who fits that mould.”

Dr Minnis said Mr Pintard will help the party in fighting discrimination and victimisation as well as help make a better Bahamas.

The FNM’s senate seat became vacant after John Bostwick had his appointment revoked because of a pending ammunition possession trial.

In May Mr Bostwick was arrested in the domestic section of the Grand Bahama International Airport. He was later arraigned before Chief Magistrate

Joyann Ferguson-Pratt for alleged possession of 10 live rounds of .22 ammunition which were found on Saturday, May 17.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on $9,000 bail.

Mr Bostwick was the replacement for Zhivargo Laing, who resigned from the Upper Chamber last year to focus on business ventures.

In his remarks, Mr Pintard promised to be diligent, meticulous and fearless in the discharge of his duties.

The new senator-designate wasted no time in lashing out at the government and said the Christie administration has shown tribalism towards Bahamians of different political persuasions since taking office.

“This appointment comes at a time when our civil liberties are under assault and some members of the police and other uniformed branches have permitted the executive branch of the government to use them to violate the rights of the government’s political opponents, evidenced by the invasion of the home of our Chairman Darron Cash,” he said.

Last month police searched Mr Cash’s home and seized two laptops and a smartphone belonging to Mr Cash. The search and seizure was reportedly connection to an investigation into leaks of sensitive information about the Bank of The Bahamas (BOB).

“Not once did the police seize the computers or cell phones of bank officials who work under a continuous cloud, nor have they dared to challenge media houses that provide details on financial transactions, which may or may not be true,” Mr Pintard said. “Instead, they targeted a private citizen who asked questions that if truthfully answered would serve the public interests.”

Mr Pintard said whether he remains in this position for one month or three years it is his intention in concert with the FNM’s parliamentary team to fight for what is in the best interest of the Bahamian people.

He also bashed the government for its heightened attention on regulating web shops, despite the results of the 2013 gaming referendum.

Mr Pintard will join Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate Carl Bethel and other FNM Senators Heather Hunt and Kwasi Thompson in the Upper Chamber.

According to sources within the party, former Senator Dr Duane Sands was said to be the favourite for the Senate appointment by the party’s council.

However sources said Dr Minnis preferred Mr Pintard.

The FNM Leader refused to comment when asked about this.

When contacted after the announcement, Dr Sands told The Tribune that he thinks Mr Pintard’s previous experience as a senator will bring a lot to the FNM’s bench.

“I wish him well,” Dr Sands said. “I think he will do a tremendous amount of good in the Senate and I look forward to working with him as an extended arm of the FNM’s parliamentary team.”

Dr Sands is also vice-chairman of the FNM.