FORMER Speaker of the House of Assembly Italia Johnson has joined the growing condemnation of Richard Lightbourn for his comments last week about sterilisation of unwed mothers, describing them as “historically incorrect and extremely insensitive”.

Mrs Johnson said she was “saddened and dismayed” by the Montagu MP’s remarks at the recent Free National Movement Convention. In a statement the former Speaker “strongly” condemned Mr Lightbourn.

“The long historical contribution of Bahamian women to every sphere of development in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has been heralded and recorded for decades,” Mrs Johnson said. “Therefore, I am saddened and dismayed by the historically incorrect and extremely insensitive remarks by the Honourable Richard Lightbourn Member of Parliament for Montagu.

“I trust that these unfortunate remarks cause a greater awareness of respect for and appreciation of all Bahamian women. Moreover, all intelligent ‘developing countries‘ plan for the full inclusion of all of its citizens and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas should be no different.”