By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION Minister Fred Mitchell confirmed on Thursday that the Department of Immigration is reviewing a report concerning allegations that stem from an incident involving the Grand Bahama Youth Choir (GBYC) at the Memories Resort in Grand Bahama on Christmas Eve.

He stressed that abusive conduct is sufficient grounds for revocation of the status on a non-Bahamian who is a guest in the country.

On Christmas Eve, the 25-members GBYC and its director Kevin Tomlinson were abruptly interrupted while performing and told by the general manger to leave the resort. The incident went viral on social media, with persons calling for an immediate investigation into the matter and the removal of the manager in question.

While in Grand Bahama on New Year’s Eve, Mr Mitchell said “that insulting children and their musical director is a serious matter particularly when as it has raised the ire of the community”.

“The community in Freeport seems united on this point, which is a unique position,” he said. “I can tell you people are outraged across the board from all walks of life about this matter.”

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville said that following the incident at Memories his ministry had received a number of reports via print and electronic media, alleging abusive and disrespectful treatment of employees by the general manager Gabriel Varela. As a result, he said the government conducted a complete investigation into the allegations.

Dr Darville said that an investigation conducted by a team from the Department of Labour into the alleged matters has been concluded. “We are in possession of it and currently reviewing its contents,” he said. “We take claims of this nature very seriously. We remain resolute in our commitment to fight for Bahamians.”

Mr Mitchell indicated that certain recommendations have been made and the Department of Immigration has been called upon in the report to take certain actions. “They are studying the report and any necessary actions are expected to be taken shortly,” he said. “As you will see abusive conduct is, in my view, prima facie grounds for the revocation of the status on a non-Bahamian in this country. We must however be certain of the facts and never move in an arbitrary or capricious fashion.”

The resort executives were expected to meet with immigration officials on Thursday.

Mr Mitchell noted that there are too many complaints concerning abusive conduct towards Bahamians in Exuma, Grand Bahama and New Providence.

“There is this feeling that people believe that when they come to The Bahamas and obtain a status here that they can act and speak to Bahamians in any way, manner, shape, form or fashion. That on the face of is abusive conduct and it seems to be incompatible with the status of someone who is a guest in the country. That is the prime facie position that we ought to operate from,” he said.