By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

TEMPERS flared at the Bahamas Union of Teachers headquarters yesterday after a three-member appeals committee overturned the suspension of BUT President Belinda Wilson.

At noon, the appeals committee presented Mrs Wilson with its ruling that it found no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the president as was alleged.

After being informed of the judgment, Mrs Wilson then tried to assume her position as head of the union, proceeding to notify the media that a press conference would be held at the BUT on Bethel Avenue where she would make an announcement on her reinstatement.

This angered BUT Vice-President Zane Lightbourne and Secretary General John Musgrove who both told The Tribune that Mrs Wilson was “disrespectful” to have called a press conference the same day that the appeals committee made its decision.

According to both men, Mrs Wilson’s suspension still stands as the executive committee rejected the appeals committee’s decision to rescind Mrs Wilson’s and BUT treasurer Lorraine Knowles’ suspensions.

This was officially communicated to Mrs Wilson in a letter that was handed to her shortly after the appeals committee’s decision.

They said should Mrs Wilson return to the BUT’s offices tomorrow, police would be called to escort her from the premises. In addition, Mr Musgrove said the executive committee undertook an intensive probe of the BUT’s operations in which they “unearthed” several other infractions that they claim was committed by Mrs Wilson.

At one point yesterday, Mr Lightbourne blocked the doorway to prevent Mrs Wilson and her supporters entering the union’s building.

He said: “It is very unfortunate that the president would sit behind the desk and call a press conference as president of the union. She came (in), picked up the phone, and said ‘Belinda Wilson, president of the BUT.’ Even if that was the case if you were still not on suspension there is an official way to do it.

“You just don’t walk into a bank or one of the other places and say ‘I am such and such, I am this, I am that,’ because it had to come officially from the union.”

Mrs Wilson maintained yesterday that the appeals committee’s decision could only be overturned at the union’s Annual General Meeting. The AGM is expected in June this year.

When the media arrived at BUT’s headquarters, Mr Lightbourne and Mr Musgrove would not allow the press in the building. As a result Mrs Wilson’s press conference was held outside. When the media tried to enter the building after Mrs Wilson’s press conference, a security guard attempted to physically restrain a reporter. This resulted in a row with the media and BUT officials.

However, Mrs Wilson, who said she had been vindicated following the committee’s decision, told reporters that she would return to office immediately.

She said: “I thank God, I thank the appeals committee for hearing and deliberating based on the facts. I thank the thousands of members from Grand Bahama to Mayaguana, and especially in New Providence, who have sent messages, gave words of encouragement and those who fasted and prayed throughout this ordeal.

“I have been vindicated and I am prepared to continue to lead this great organisation.

“I recommit to work even harder with more passion, dedication and vigilance to ensure that the BUT remains strong.”

In response, Mr Lightbourne said the appeals committee’s deliberation process was heavily flawed. He said an ultimatum from attorneys on behalf of Mrs Wilson and Ms Knowles might have swayed the appeals committee’s decision.

Mrs Wilson and Ms Knowles were suspended in December for six and three months respectively. It came amid concerns from the union’s executive committee that more than $1.1 million from the union’s pension and savings account were wrongfully spent over a four-year period.

However, following nearly three weeks of deliberations, the appeals committee said in documents obtained by The Tribune that “it is clear from the evidence produced before the appeals committee, that in the regular operation of the union, funds from both the pension and fixed deposit accounts were utilised with the knowledge or consent of the executive committee and/or the AGM.

“Evidence has been produced to show that transfers from the fixed deposit were approved by the AGM or executive committee as letters were needed to break the fixed deposit.

“Evidence further shows that most of the money transferred was for the set- up of the Teachers Mart and the new building in Grand Bahama. All of the letters were signed by at least three executive officers,” the appeals committee said.

“There was no evidence to show that Mrs Wilson acted on her own. It was further revealed that financial reports were presented and discussed at each executive meeting and they were approved unanimously.”

The appeals committee further noted that due process was not followed in accordance with the BUT’s constitution, adding that several members of the executive committee who were invited to make submissions did not appear.

These included Mr Lightbourne and Mr Musgrove.

However, executive committee officials contend that they had several times attempted to set up meetings with the appeals committee without success.